Three girls have died following a “tragic incident” off the coast of Brighton, police have mentioned.
The our bodies of three girls had been later recovered from the water close to Madeira Drive, a street that runs alongside the seafront to the east of Brighton Palace Pier.
“It is a tragic incident and fast-moving enquiries are ongoing to substantiate the identities of those three girls and perceive precisely what has occurred,” Chief Superintendent Adam Hays mentioned.
Members of the general public have been requested to keep away from Madeira Drive whereas police enquiries proceed.
The coastguard has confirmed it isn’t looking for anybody else.
Police guard the seashore after the our bodies had been discovered on Could 13, 2026 in Brighton, England
Getty Photos
Right here is all the pieces we all know in regards to the tragedy up to now:
When did the tragedy occur?
The tragedy unfolded within the early hours of Wednesday, Could 13, after emergency providers obtained reviews of issues for the welfare of individuals within the water at round 5.45am.
A serious multi-agency response was launched, involving Sussex Police, HM Coastguard and three RNLI lifeboats from Brighton, alongside crews from the South East Coast Ambulance Service.
The our bodies of three girls had been later recovered from the water close to Madeira Drive, east of the Volks Railway Black Rock automotive park.
HM Coastguard has since confirmed that the search operation has concluded and they aren’t in search of anybody else.
The seashore space east of the Volks Railway Black Rock automotive park stays cordoned off whereas forensic groups proceed their work on the scene.
Detectives main Operation Leadmore are actually reviewing CCTV footage from close by seafront companies and properties to ascertain the circumstances surrounding how and when the ladies entered the water.
Search and rescue autos seen in Black Rock automotive park on Could 13, 2026 in Brighton
Getty Photos
What do we all know in regards to the victims?
The identification of the three girls stays unknown as police enquiries are ongoing.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays acknowledged in a press briefing that “fast-moving enquiries are ongoing to substantiate the identities of those three girls”.
Police are actively working to find and notify the quick households earlier than making any info public.
Police and search and rescue autos seen in Black Rock automotive park on Could 13, 2026 in Brighton
Getty Photos
What was the climate like?
Experiences recommend there have been tough seas off the coast of Brighton this morning, brought on by sturdy winds reaching speeds of as much as 41mph.
Witnesses and security groups famous a extreme undercurrent pushing water quickly eastwards from Brighton Pier towards the Marina.
What has the response been?
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has described the incident in Brighton this morning as “terrible”.
She provided her sympathies to the victims, in addition to their pals and households, and urged the general public to not speculate whereas investigations proceed.
She mentioned: “We should enable police to research and chorus from hypothesis at the moment.”
Brighton & Hove Metropolis Council chief Bella Sankey has additionally issued an announcement following the tragedy.
She mentioned: “I’m shocked and deeply saddened to listen to of the deaths of three girls off the Brighton coast this morning.
“My coronary heart goes out to the family and friends of those girls and on behalf of Brighton & Hove, I ship honest condolences.
“I’d additionally wish to thank the emergency providers for his or her fast response and mixed efforts. It’s heart-breaking that their restoration efforts have resulted in such tragic circumstances.”
One native, who lives near the scene, informed the BBC the tragedy was “horrifying”.
Jilly Francis mentioned that is the “worst” incident she has identified to occur within the space.
Requested whether or not this a part of the seashore is a standard space for folks to swim, Pam Hinchliffe informed the BBC: “It appears to me that folks are inclined to swim down by the pier, or by Sea Lanes, or over in Hove.”
