Brighton beach incident latest: Bodies of three women found in sea as police say situation is ‘fast-moving’ – UK Times

Police have reportedly said searches off Brighton Beach are ongoing this morning.

The BBC reports Sussex Police will hold a press conference at 12:30pm.

Police said they recovered the bodies of three women from the sea near Madeira Drive this morning.

The map below shows where Madeira Drive runs along the seafront, with Brighton Pier to the left.

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 appears choppy, with waves crashing against the marina wall.

We still have limited information this morning as police continue to conduct enquiries to establish the circumstances that led to three women’s bodies being recovered from the water.

Here’s what we don’t yet know:

• The identities of the women. Police said they are working to confirm who the women are, but as of yet have not released details including names and ages.

• How they came to be in the water. Any details of the circumstances surrounding the incident are not yet clear.

Police are investigating after the bodies of three women were pulled from the sea in Brighton this morning.

Here’s everything we know so far:

• Emergency services were called at around 5:45am after concerns were raised for the welfare of three women in the water

• At 5:50am HM Coastguard was notified and sent one helicopter, four rescue teams and three lifeboats to the scene

• Their bodies were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive

• Sussex Police said they are working to confirm the identities of the women and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident

• A police scene remains in place on Brighton Beach

HM Coastguard has now issued a statement after three women’s bodies were pulled from the water off Brighton.

“HM Coastguard is responding to an incident reported at Brighton beach at about 5.50am on 13 May,” it said.

“An HM Coastguard helicopter has been sent as well as Coastguard Rescue Teams from Shoreham, Newhaven, Littlehampton and Birling Gap, and three RNLI lifeboats from Brighton and Shoreham.

“Sussex Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service have also attended.”

People have been urged to avoid the area as police continue to conduct enquiries near Madeira Drive.

Pictures show a police scene in place as a number of search and rescue and emergency services vehicles remain in the area.

We are now getting pictures from Brighton Beach this morning.

A police scene is in place with a number of emergency services vehicles present.

The identities of the women involved have not yet been established, police have said.

Sussex Police said inquiries are ongoing to confirm the identities and understand exactly what has happened.