13 May 2026 , 10:20
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The bodies of three women have been recovered from the sea off Brighton Beach following a large-scale emergency response involving coastguard and police teams.
Sussex Police said emergency services were called at around 5:45am on 13 May after concerns were raised for the welfare of three women in the water. A coordinated search operation was launched involving a coastguard helicopter, lifeboats, and multiple police units along the seafront near Madeira Drive.
Officers later confirmed that the bodies of three women were recovered from the water in the area.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays described the incident as “tragic” and said investigations were ongoing to establish the identities of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
“This is a tragic incident and fast-moving enquiries are ongoing to confirm the identities of these three women and understand exactly what has happened,” he said, urging the public to avoid the area while emergency services continue their work.
Footage from the scene showed rescue teams searching the sea, with a helicopter circling above Brighton Marina and lifeboats deployed offshore. Police vehicles remained stationed along the beachfront during the operation.
Authorities have not yet released further details, and investigations are continuing.
Large search and rescue operation currently off #Brighton seafront @HMCoastguard helicopter and 2 lifeboats @SLifeboatRNLI @RNLIBrighton 13/5/26 pic.twitter.com/W4MYzgxwRC
— Oliver Button (@OBDroning) May 13, 2026
Politics Editor