HEARTBREAK ACROSS BRIGHTON AFTER DEVASTATING DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT THREE LIVES LOST AT SEA 💔

Emergency services were called after concerns were raised for a person’s welfare at around 5.45am on Wednesday, before three bodies were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive.

Sussex Police have said officers believe they have identified all three women and their next of kin have been informed.

But the force said it would not be appropriate to publicly name them until the process to formally identify them is completed.

Sussex Police said the probe includes a “number of hypotheses”.

It is understood one line of inquiry being explored is that the women may have entered the water from the beach, near where they were found, and got into difficulty.

A bunch of yellow tulips and white carnations were left at the scene on Thursday.

Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: “This is an utterly heartbreaking tragedy, and my thoughts are with the loved ones of these three young women after their devastating loss.

“They will remain at the forefront of our minds as we search for the answers their families, and the wider public, desperately seek.

“This is a sensitive investigation that includes a number of hypotheses, and it would not be appropriate to speculate as we to continue to gather evidence.

“I would once again ask for the public’s patience while we establish the full facts, which will be shared publicly as soon as we are able.”

Police and coastguard officials were stationed along the seafront and on the shingle beach on Wednesday, where a lifeboat could be seen out at sea and a helicopter was flying overhead.

The sea appeared choppy, with waves crashing against the marina wall in windy conditions.

Sussex Police confirmed the beach reopened later in the evening and officers had left the scene.

Reacting to the latest police update, Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said she sent her sincere condolences on behalf the city to the women’s family members and loved ones.

“We are all devastated by what has happened on the seafront,” she said.

“For three young women to lose their lives off the coast of our city is harrowing and deeply distressing.

“I want to pay tribute to all the emergency services for their swift and collaborative response, including Sussex Police, the RNLI, the Coastguard and our seafront team.”

She said that city bosses were reviewing safety measures following the deaths.

“As a seaside city, we know how much people value our beaches, and we take our responsibility for safety extremely seriously,” Ms Sankey said.

“Lifeguard provision, patrols and safety measures are in place, and we are reviewing other safety measures to ensure we are doing everything we can.

“While we always work to make the seafront as safe as possible, tragedies like this are a stark reminder of the challenges involved.”

Hove and Portslade MP Peter Kyle said that it was a “sobering and heartbreaking reminder” that families, neighbours and communities are what is important.

“We will all be working with emergency services, tourism services and the seafront office to further promote messages about the risks around water,” he said on Wednesday.