The dead body of missing British guest worker Martin Molinski was found at Tobacco Bay, St. George's yesterday by tourists.

The two German visitors were described as exploring the sea at the popular beach at about noon when they made the grim discovery and alerted Police.

Detectives quickly cordoned off the scene on Anchorage Road and the 26-year-old vinyl fabricator was pronounced dead by a doctor at 1 p.m.

His body was removed from the coastline area about an hour later as local residents and tourists on the nearby beach looked on.

A Police spokesman said inquiries were ongoing and an autopsy would be held, but foul play was not suspected.

It is understand that friends of Mr. Molinski, who was last seen alive by flatmate Nicholas Barrett on Wednesday evening, were able to identify his body.

A Facebook page set up by his family called Find Martin Molinski ASAP was yesterday flooded with tributes to him.

One relative wrote: "Dear ones, we called the Police in Bermuda. It's confirmed that the body found is him. So now we have the reassurance that our Martin is with our loving Jesus, healthier and happier than ever.

"Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement and support. We have another angel over us. Please keep Dennis, his dad, in your prayers. He will be in Bermuda in the next days taking care of Martin's return to England, to his funeral with brothers, sisters and loved ones."

Dennis Molinski posted: "The night Nick called me and after crying sufficiently, I cried out to God for an answer and I immediately saw Martin with my deceased dad and other deceased loved ones as they rejoiced at his arrival.

"Martin's life touched many others. Through his friendship with us all he is showing us the importance of loving one another while we are still around."

Mr. Molinski's sister Marie wrote: "My dearest brother, may you rest in peace. You meant the world to us and will live on in our hearts and minds forever and will always be a part of us, even though you are gone."

Mr. Molinski worked at Vinyltech, on Front Street, which specialises in PVC products. Orla Geoghegan said on Facebook: "I had the pleasure of working closely with Martin in Bermuda and even though I only knew him a short time, it was evident every day that he was an excellent and dedicated worker.

"It just seems unreal to think that he is gone. His death will leave a huge void amongst his friends in Bermuda, of which I am proud to say I was one."

Mr. Barrett told The Royal Gazette last week that his friend, with whom he attended technical college in England, had been on the Island for six months and was loving living here.

He saw him just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday at their home on Long Lane, Pembroke. The pair had been drinking but Mr. Molinski was "not drunk and seemed normal", according to Mr. Barrett.

Clothing belonging to Mr. Molinski was found at Admiralty Park in Spanish Point but Mr. Barrett said it was unlikely he would have gone for a night-time swim. "I just can't see him doing it," he said.

Mr. Molinski's disappearance was reported to Police on Thursday after he failed to show up for work and was not found at home by friends.

Another flatmate of Mr. Molinski told this newspaper yesterday: "He was so young. It doesn't make sense."

Police officers knocked on doors in the Anchorage Road/Naval Tanks Hill yesterday afternoon to reassure residents that the death did not appear suspicious.

The Police spokesman said: "It doesn't appear at this point in time that foul play is involved. That's something that will come out in due course."

Anyone with information about the death should call Police on 295-0011.