US tourist, 22 goes missing after being swept away in rip currents in front of her horrified friends off Puerto Rico beach

An American tourist has disappeared after being swept away in rip currents in front of her horrified friends off a beach in Puerto Rico.

The woman, only identified as a 22-year-old from Indiana , was said to be swimming near the Condado Beach when she vanished on Sunday.

A bystander first reported hearing screams and saw two people in distress in the water.

The woman was wearing a white shirt, pants and swimwear when she went missing, according to authorities.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has been helping local emergency crews by air and ground in their search.

Authorities said the woman was with two friends at the San Juan beach when they were caught in a strong rip current around 6:32pm on Sunday.

The woman's friends were rescued and helped ashore by locals and authorities responding to the scene.

A helicopter and more responders were dispatched to help find the woman.

Searches continued through Monday to no avail.

The USCG wrote on Twitter on Monday afternoon: 'USCG crews are searching alongside Puerto Rico Police & Puerto Rico Joint Force of Rapid Action and Emergency Management crews for a missing adult female tourist who was last seen in distress in the water near Condado Beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sunday night.

'Two other female adult tourists, also U.S. citizens, were previously rescued in this case.

'CoastGuard assets involved in the ongoing search include a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boat & a MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from USCG Air Station Borinquen.

'USCG air and surface rescue teams continue searching alongside local emergency authorities, for a missing person off Condado Beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

'CivilAirPatrol and CGAUX air units are also assisting.'

The Coast Guard did not share the name of the missing woman.

The USCG said on Sunday evening the woman was visiting the island with friends, travelling from Indianapolis.

The Coast Guard's X account shared a resource from the National Weather Service with advice on surviving a rip current.

People caught in a strong current are advised not to panic.

'Rip currents will not pull you under the water.'

People should not try to swim against the current, towards the beach, to escape - but swim out of the current, parallel to the beach.

If one cannot escape the current, aim to float while yelling and waving for help.

Some 80 per cent of beach rescues each year involve rip currents, according to the United States Lifesaving Association.