Authorities in the Bahamas have sadly confirmed the death of a 21-year-old French national, whose body was found this afternoon.

Officers from the Police Marine Support Unit discovered the remains along the eastern coastline near a local business shortly after 2 PM.

A doctor was called to the scene and declared the individual dead.

The man had been reported missing at sea on December 16, which prompted an urgent search and rescue mission in the waters around Exuma.

The body is set to be transported to New Providence for an autopsy to establish the cause of death. Police are continuing their investigation.