A police investigation is continuing in Brighton after the bodies of three women were recovered from the sea near Brighton Pier.
Emergency services were called to the seafront at around 5.45am yesterday morning (13/05/2026) following concerns for people in the water.
The Coastguard and RNLI were involved in the response, and the bodies of three women were recovered from the sea close to the pier.
Sussex Police have confirmed that enquiries remain ongoing to identify the women and establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
At a press conference, officers described the incident as tragic and said work is continuing to understand exactly what happened.
Police are now appealing to the public for help as part of their investigation. They are asking anyone who may have been in the area at the time, or who has information which could assist officers, to come forward.
The incident prompted a significant emergency services response on Brighton seafront, with police, coastguard teams and lifeboat crews all involved.
Officers have said further updates will be provided when more information is available.
The deaths have caused concern in the local community, with police asking people not to speculate while enquiries continue.
Brighton Pier and the surrounding seafront area are among the city’s busiest and most recognisable locations.
The focus of the investigation is now on establishing how the women came to be in the water and whether there are any witnesses who may have seen anything before emergency services were called.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact Sussex Police.
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