BARCELONA — James Paul Gracey, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student, went missing early Tuesday morning after visiting a beachfront nightclub in Barcelona, Spain. Gracey, a junior accounting major from Elmhurst, Illinois, was last seen at Shoko, a nightclub in the Villa Olimpica area on Barceloneta Beach.

Police in Barcelona received a call about a possible disappearance around 3 a.m. on Tuesday in the Port Olímpic area and opened an investigation. A press officer at the Communications Office of the Mossos d'Esquadra said boats, divers and drones were deployed at sea as part of the search for Gracey. Barcelona police deployed helicopters and marine units to search for Gracey in the area of the Olympic Village.

At the time he was last seen, Gracey was wearing a white T-shirt, dark pants, and a chain with a gold rhinestone cross. The group Gracey was with at the nightclub separated on the night of his disappearance, and that was the last time they saw him.

Barcelona police are reviewing security video from Shoko nightclub. Shoko Nightclub provided security video from the night Gracey was last seen to local law enforcement. Gracey's parents received a phone call that their son's phone had been picked up in Barcelona.

Gracey was visiting friends studying abroad during his spring break. About ten people from his fraternity were in Barcelona visiting friends studying abroad. The group Gracey was with did not have any encounters that raised safety concerns before his disappearance.

A University of Alabama spokesperson said staff are in touch with Gracey's family and associated individuals to offer support and assistance. The university confirmed Gracey was on a personal trip when he disappeared.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin has been in contact with Gracey's family regarding his disappearance, and his office shared key information about the case with the U.S. State Department. The State Department said it was ready to provide all consular assistance to Americans in need abroad.

The Saint Ignatius College Prep community, where Gracey graduated from high school on Chicago's Near West Side, posted that they are praying for his safe return. Gracey is described as 6 feet 1 inch tall and about 175 pounds.

The Gracey family said it was out of character for Gracey not to check in with family and friends. Gracey's roommates had not heard from him since he went missing.

Anyone with information about Gracey's whereabouts is asked to contact 224-505-3886.