Madrid, Oct 1 (IANS): The bodies of two women, whom police were searching for since the early hours of Thursday morning, were discovered washed up on the coast near the town of Blanes in northern Spain.

Police confirmed around 4.00 a.m. that they were looking for two women, aged 33 and 36, who had not returned after swimming at night in rough seas, Xinhua news agency reported.

The pair were part of a group holidaying on the Spanish Costa Brava, when for reasons which have yet to be determined they decided to venture into the sea, despite the bad weather which was provoking high waves and strong currents.

A third person who also went into the sea, was able to make it back to shore and reported her companions had been swept away.

Spanish Maritime Rescue services quickly deployed boats and divers, but the rescue mission rapidly turned into an operation to recover the bodies when it was clear they could not have survived the conditions.

Coastal regions along the east and south-east of Spain are currently on alert for high winds, rain and possible flash floods.