Three young women were found dead in the English Channel early Wednesday after a night spent partying at a UK beachfront club, according to cops and reports.
The unidentified women, believed to be in their late teens and early twenties, were “fully clothed” as local authorities pulled them from the choppy waters in Brighton, a popular East Sussex tourist spot on England’s south coast, around 5:45 a.m., the Daily Mail and The Sun reported.
“This is a tragic incident and fast-moving enquiries are ongoing to confirm the identities of three women and understand exactly what has happened,” Sussex police chief superintendent Adam Hays said in a statement.
“I know this is concerning for the community, but I would ask the public to stay away from the scene at this time while emergency services continue their work.”
As authorities scramble to determine what led to their tragic deaths, locals said the trio had been partying at beachfront nightclub Quarters, which hosts a weekly student rager called “CU Next Tuesday,” the outlets reported.
The club was hosting a David Attenborough-themed event that was “packed out” with students and revellers and spilled onto the beach before wrapping around 4 a.m.
“It’s absolutely dreadful,” a club worker told the Mail of the deaths, adding that “student night” is always mobbed with partygoers who flood onto the beach while drinking and smoking.
“Police were down earlier speaking to people from the club. Apparently their handbags were found on each along with a coat. I saw coastguard officers searching for more of their personal belongings like phones.”
Local workers and residents told The Sun the club scene in the area can get “intense,” with crowds still seen on the beach knocking back drinks as early as 7 a.m. most days.
One local said Wednesday morning brought strong winds, cold weather, and rough seas.
“It’s extremely windy, cold and choppy in the waters today so I’m not sure why anyone would have been in the sea,” the local told the outlet.
“The conditions would’ve probably been strong enough to push them near Brighton Palace Pier.”
Police said they responded to the early-morning horror after receiving reports about the welfare of one person in the sea off Brighton beach, about 50 miles south of London, near Black Rocks car park in Madeira Drive.
Upon arrival, two more bodies were recovered from the sea nearby.
“I understand the impact this tragic incident has had on the local community and more widely,” Hays said.
“This is a sensitive investigation and we know the public are keen to understand the full circumstances. But our priority at this time is identifying these three women and location of their families, who at this point remain unaware they have lost loved ones,” he continued.
“I would ask for people’s patience while we conduct these enquiries and to avoid speculation while this is ongoing.”
