Bodies of three women recovered from sea in Brighton
The beach has now reopened following a significant operation which began at 5.45am
Last updated 18 hours ago
Sussex Police have confirmed the bodies of three women have been recovered from the sea in Brighton early this morning (13 May).
Officers were first called to concern for a single person in the water near Black Rocks car park in Madeira Drive at around 5:45am. On arrival, two more bodies were sadly recovered from the sea nearby.
Police say enquiries are ongoing to confirm their identities and to understand what happened.
Officers have now left the scene and the beach has now reopened.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays told reporters the coastguard is completing an “extensive search of the water”, but the force is not searching for anyone else.
The officer said CCTV inquiries are being carried out.
He continued:
“This is a tragic incident and fast-moving enquiries are ongoing to confirm the identities of these three women and understand exactly what has happened.
“This is a sensitive investigation and we know the public are keen to understand the full circumstances. But our priority at this time is identifying these three women and locating their families, who at this point remain unaware they have lost loved ones.
“I would ask for people’s patience while we conduct these enquiries and to avoid speculation while this is ongoing.
“We will provide further updates as soon as they are available.
“Anyone with information that could help is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Ledmore.”
The coastguard said it is responding to the incident, and has sent a helicopter as well as rescue teams from Shoreham, Newhaven, Littlehampton and Birling Gap, and three RNLI lifeboats from Brighton and Shoreham.
Police and coastguard officials were stationed along the seafront and on the shingle beach during the morning, where a lifeboat could be seen out at sea and a helicopter was flying overhead.
The sea appeared choppy, with waves crashing against the marina wall.
The leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, Bella Sankey, has sent her condolences to the families of the three women
In a statement, she said: “I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of three women off the Brighton coast this morning.
“My heart goes out to the friends and family of these women, and on behalf of Brighton and Hove I send sincere condolences.
“I would also like to thank the emergency services for their quick response and combined efforts; it is heartbreaking that their recovery efforts have ended in such tragic circumstances.”