Bodies of three women recovered from sea off Brighton

The bodies of three women were recovered from the sea off Brighton early today, Sussex Police have said.

Emergency services were called at around 5.45am to concerns for the welfare of three women in the sea off Brighton, with three bodies being retrieved near Madeira Drive.

The RNLI said the Brighton lifeboat and Shoreham all-weather lifeboat had been launched at around 6am this morning, but that they have since been stood down.

Police are conducting "fast-moving" enquiries to confirm the identities of the women and understand exactly what has happened.

Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said that while the incident will be "concerning for the community... I would ask the public to stay away from the scene at this time while emergency services continue their work".

"We will provide further updates as soon as they are available," he added.

Councillor Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton and Hove council, said she was "shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the deaths" and that her heart went out to the friends and family of the women.

She thanked emergency services for their "quick response" and said, "It is heart-breaking that their recovery efforts have ended in such tragic circumstances".

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