Scots tourist missing in Prague after allegedly 'jumping off boat'

A Scots man has gone missing in Prague after witnesses claim he jumped off a party boat.

Joop Sparkes, from Galashiels, was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, April 27, and Czech Republic police have confirmed they are carrying out searches for the 29-year-old.

His heartbroken girlfriend, Charley Mabe, who travelled to Prague with Joop, has taken to social media to urge anyone who might have information to come forward, including tourists in Prague and back home.

Joop was on board a party boat which is believed to have been on the way back to port when he jumped off to go for a swim, near the Charles Bridge.

His worried family say he hasn't been seen since despite extensive investigations by police who have been searching the river.

Charley posted: "My boyfriend Joop went missing early hours of Sunday 27th April. Around 12:30/1am. He was on board the boat that leaves from the president hotel Prague.

"On way back to the port he alleged to have jumped off to go for a swim and not been seen since. Police are aware. If anyone has any information or has seen him please call 158 get in touch.

"Family really worried. He possibly had swam back to shore and no one has seen him so he could be anywhere."

A spokesperson for the Czech Republic police said: "I can confirm that since early Sunday morning the Prague police have been searching for a 29-year-old foreigner who, according to the announcement, jumped from a party boat near the Charles Bridge in Prague 1 and has not been seen since.

"In the place where the missing person was last seen, several search operations took place, in which policemen from the river department were also involved, but the foreigner has not been found anywhere yet."

An Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man reported as missing in Prague and are in contact with the local authorities.”

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