Sussex Police are treating the incident off Brighton beach as an ongoing investigation after three women’s bodies are recovered from the sea near the shore. Multiple outlets report that emergency services are called at around 5.45am on Wednesday after concerns are raised about a person’s welfare in the water. Police then recover three bodies from the sea near Madeira Drive, and the women are subsequently identified by police as sisters from London. Next of kin are reported to have been informed.

Authorities state that the investigation into how the women came to be in the water is ongoing and that no evidence suggests criminality. The cause of death is described by at least one outlet as not yet known, pending further inquiries and formal processes. Coverage also notes that police follow identification procedures before making names public, with outlets indicating the women are fully clothed according to police accounts.

Sussex Police say they are supporting the families of those involved.