Bodies of three young women pulled from sea off Brighton

Bodies of three women recovered from sea off Brighton35 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleZac SherrattSouth EastPA MediaEmergency services have been working at the scene since this morningThe bodies of three women have been recovered from the sea off Brighton.Police said a search was launched after concerns were raised for the welfare of a person in the sea at 05:45 BST. The women have not been identified.It is not yet known how the women came to be in the water, but the coastguard has ended its search and says it is not looking for anyone else.Chief Supt Adam Hays said: "This is a tragic incident. We are at the very early stages of our inquiries."The bodies were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive, which runs along the beachfront.A large cordon was put in place around the beach at Black Rock which will remain until at least this evening, Sussex Police said.Sussex police and crime commissioner has asked the public to "refrain from speculation".PA MediaChief Supt Adam Hays speaking at a press conference on Brighton seafront this afternoonMost of the emergency services had left the scene by the afternoon, with three police vans remaining.Many people in the community expressed shock after the incident.Jilly Francis, a regular sea-swimmer in the area, said: "I live very close by and this is the worst I think I've heard of anything happening."Today is very rough, so I'd be surprised if they were regular swimmers. I wouldn't swim today because it's too rough, but I normally swim in the summer when it's calmer."There can be rips or currents, but most of the time this particular bit of the beach is quite safe."Pam Hinchliffe, a local resident who was visiting the beach, said: "It's tragic. My understanding is it was very early in the morning, so you start thinking, 'what could possibly have caused that?' It's a tragedy."Hays added: "Our priority right now is...