Woman found dead on Whitburn beach as police issue update on 'unexplained' tragedy

Police have launched an investigation after the body of a woman was found on a popular beach in the North East. Police attended Seaburn Beach in Whitburn just after 5am this morning following a report that the body had been found. Northumbria Police said the woman’s death is currently being treated as unexplained, Chronicle Live reports . Enquiries are underway to formally identify the person and notify their next of kin. Police cordoned off a section of the promenade as emergency services worked at the scene. However, the area has now fully reopened. In a statement earlier today, a Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Just after 5am today (Friday), we received a report that the body had been found on Seaburn Beach in Whitburn. Emergency services attended the scene where the body of a woman was sadly located. "A police presence is currently in the area and enquiries are underway to formally identify the person and notify their next of kin. The woman’s death is currently being treated as unexplained."