Brighton beach deaths have 'huge effect' on city

Heartfelt tributes have been left on Brighton Beach for three women who died in the sea earlier in the week.

Sussex Police said emergency teams were first called on Wednesday at about 05:45 BST to a report of a person in the water near Black Rock car park in Madeira Drive, which runs along the beachfront. On arrival, two more bodies were recovered from the sea nearby.

One tribute at the scene read: "I am so, so sorry. This is such an awful loss and I can't begin to imagine how scared you felt girls.

"My thoughts are with you and I am devastated for your families and friends. I don't know if you were local but this has had a huge effect on us all."

It added: "You all had so much more to live for. I am so sorry."

Another tribute read: "[I am] so sorry. [I am] so sad this has happened. Rest in peace, dear angels."

On Thursday, Sussex Police said they believed they had identified the three women, but were not going to publicly name them until "procedures are completed".

It is not yet known how the women came to be in the water, but the coastguard ended its search and said it was not looking for anyone else.

Robbie Jones, who became a water safety campaigner after his dad drowned in the sea off Hove Beach in 2021, told BBC Radio Sussex: "I know exactly what this is like.

"Grief is hard enough, death is hard enough, but to have grief and loss in these circumstances is truly devastating and it's another kind of layer of burden when it comes to grief."

Brighton Pavilion MP Sian Berry said it was "devastating, heartbreaking news".

"It's a tragedy I think that has affected everyone in the city," she told BBC Radio Sussex.

"You can feel the emotions from people who talk about it, and the rest of the country as well.

"I'm getting messages from lots people who are not in Brighton who are nevertheless sending their thoughts in our directions. It's a genuine tragedy."

It is understood the women were first spotted at Brighton Palace Pier before drifting to the marina.

One line of inquiry police are exploring is that the women may have gone into the sea from the beach and then got into difficulty.

Officers said there was no evidence to suggest any third-party involvement or criminality.

Anyone with information that could help police is asked to contact the force.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.