Three girls have died following a “tragic incident” off the coast of Brighton, police have mentioned.
The our bodies of three girls have 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 verify 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 avoid 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 have been discovered on Might 13, 2026 in Brighton, England
Getty Photos
Right here is every thing we all know in regards to the tragedy thus far:
When did the tragedy occur?
The tragedy unfolded within the early hours of Wednesday, Might 13, after emergency providers obtained studies of issues for the welfare of individuals within the water at round 5.45am.
A significant 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 have been later recovered from the water close to Madeira Drive, east of the Volks Railway Black Rock automobile 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 automobile park stays cordoned off whereas forensic groups proceed their work on the scene.
Detectives main Operation Leadmore at the moment are 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 automobile park on Might 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 verify the identities of those three girls”.
Police are actively working to find and notify the speedy households earlier than making any data public.
Police and search and rescue autos seen in Black Rock automobile park on Might 13, 2026 in Brighton
Getty Photos
What was the climate like?
Reviews recommend there have been tough seas off the coast of Brighton this morning, brought on by robust 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 supplied her sympathies to the victims, in addition to their buddies and households, and urged the general public to not speculate whereas investigations proceed.
She mentioned: “We should permit police to analyze and chorus from hypothesis presently.”
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 might additionally prefer 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, instructed the BBC the tragedy was “horrifying”.
Jilly Francis mentioned that is the “worst” incident she has recognized to occur within the space.
Requested whether or not this a part of the seashore is a typical space for individuals to swim, Pam Hinchliffe instructed the BBC: “It appears to me that individuals are inclined to swim down by the pier, or by Sea Lanes, or over in Hove.”
