Bodies of Three Women Recovered from Sea off Brighton

The bodies of three women have been recovered from the sea off Brighton.

Police launched a search at 05:45 BST after concerns arose for a person in the water. The women have not been identified. Authorities do not yet know how they entered the sea. The coastguard has ended its search and is not looking for anyone else.

Chief Supt Adam Hays called it a tragic incident. He said inquiries are at an early stage.

Rescuers pulled the bodies from the water near Madeira Drive, which runs along the beachfront. Sussex Police set up a large cordon around the beach at Black Rock. It will remain until at least this evening.

The Sussex police and crime commissioner asked the public to refrain from speculation.

Most emergency services left the scene by afternoon. Three police vans stayed behind.

Community members expressed shock. Jilly Francis, a regular sea swimmer in the area, said, "I live very close by and this is the worst I think I've heard of anything happening. Today is very rough, so I'd be surprised if they were regular swimmers. I wouldn't swim today because it's too rough, but I normally swim in the summer when it's calmer. There can be rips or currents, but most of the time this particular bit of the beach is quite safe."

Pam Hinchliffe, a local resident visiting the beach, said, "It's tragic. My understanding is it was very early in the morning, so you start thinking, 'what could possibly have caused that?' It's a tragedy."

Hays added, "Our priority right now is to identify all three women and contact their next of kin. I know this incident will be highly distressing for the community, and we are working hard with our partners to understand exactly what has happened."

Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven MP Chris Ward said it was understandably very concerning for the community and everyone affected.

Brighton & Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said she was shocked and deeply saddened. She added, "My heart goes out to the friends and family of these women and on behalf of Brighton & Hove, I send sincere condolences."

Brighton Pavilion MP Sian Berry said, "Unbearably sad news this morning. My thoughts are with the families and friends of these three women."

Sussex Police and crime commissioner Katy Bourne described the incident as awful. In a post on X, she said her thoughts were with the friends and loved ones of the three women who died.