Three girls have died following a “tragic incident” off the coast of Brighton.
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 substantiate the identities of those three girls and perceive precisely what has occurred,” Chief Superintendent Adam Hays stated on Wednesday.
Members of the general public have been requested to steer clear of Madeira Drive whereas police enquiries proceed.
The coastguard confirmed it was not looking for anybody else.
Police guard the seaside after the our bodies have been discovered on Could 13, 2026 in Brighton, England
Getty Photographs
Right here is every thing we all know in regards to the tragedy up to now:
How did the tragedy unfold?
Emergency companies have been known as to the seaside close to Black Rock automotive park off Madeira Drive at round 5.45am to stories of concern for an individual within the water.
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 have 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 don’t seem to be in search of anybody else.
The seaside 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 at the moment are reviewing CCTV footage from close by seafront companies and properties to determine the circumstances surrounding how and when the ladies entered the water.
Search and rescue automobiles seen in Black Rock automotive park on Could 13, 2026 in Brighton
Getty Photographs
What do we all know in regards to the victims?
In an replace on Thursday, Sussex Police stated they imagine they’ve now recognized all three girls.
A pressure spokesperson stated: “Their subsequent of kin have been knowledgeable and formal identification procedures at the moment are being undertaken.
“It might not be acceptable to publicly title the ladies earlier than these procedures are accomplished.
“Their family members are being supported by specialist officers following their tragic loss.”
It was earlier reported that the ladies have been understood to be about 20 to 30 years outdated and have been first noticed at Brighton Palace Pier earlier than drifting to the marina.
Police and search and rescue automobiles seen in Black Rock automotive park on Could 13, 2026 in Brighton
Getty Photographs
How did they find yourself within the water?
Police are persevering with to analyze this.
Within the assertion on Thursday, the pressure stated there was no proof to counsel third-party involvement or criminality.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays stated: “That is an totally heartbreaking tragedy, and my ideas are with the family members of those three younger girls after their devastating loss.
“They may stay on the forefront of our minds as we seek for the solutions their households, and the broader public, desperately search.
“It is a delicate investigation that features quite a lot of hypotheses, and it might not be acceptable to invest as we to proceed to assemble proof.
“I’d as soon as once more ask for the general public’s persistence whereas we set up the complete details, which can be shared publicly as quickly as we’re in a position.”
What was the climate like?
Stories counsel 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 associates and households, and urged the general public to not speculate whereas investigations proceed.
She stated: “We should enable police to analyze and chorus from hypothesis presently.”
Brighton & Hove Metropolis Council chief Bella Sankey has additionally issued an announcement following the tragedy.
She stated: “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 prefer to thank the emergency companies 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 stated that is the “worst” incident she has identified to occur within the space.
Requested whether or not this a part of the seaside is a standard space for individuals 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.”
