According to Sussex Police, emergency services were alerted at around 5.45am local time after concerns were raised about three women in the water near Madeira Drive on Brighton’s eastern seafront. Their bodies were later recovered from the sea.
Helicopters and lifeboats rushed to the scene
Local media reports said several emergency vehicles, RNLI lifeboats and a coastguard helicopter were deployed to the area while rescue teams carried out operations along the beach.
Coastguard teams from Shoreham, Newhaven, Littlehampton and Burling Gap also joined the response efforts.
Police describe the incident as “tragic”
According to Reuters, Chief Superintendent Adam Hayes of Sussex Police described the development as a “tragic incident” and said investigators were working quickly to identify the women and determine exactly what happened.“This is a tragic incident and rapid investigations are continuing to confirm the identity of these three women and understand exactly what happened,” Hayes said in a statement.
The public is also asked to avoid the area while emergency services continue to work at the scene.The authorities have not yet revealed the ages or identities of the women, and the circumstances that led to their deaths remain unclear. Police said further updates will be issued as the investigation progresses.
