Three girls lifeless on Brighton seafront ‘had been at David Attenborough pupil night time’
Emergency services were scrambled to Brighton Beach this morning following reports of concern for three women in the sea – it is understood they had been to a student night
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Police vehicles in the Black Rock car park on Madeira Drive after the bodies of three women were recovered from the sea in Brighton on May 13, 2026 in Brighton, England. Police say the bodies of three women have been recovered from the sea in Brighton, after emergency services received calls for concern over their welfare around 5:45 this morning. Police are working to identify the women and investigate the circumstances of their deaths. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Three women found dead on Brighton seafront were understood to have been at a student night at a nearby nightclub. The women, believed to be late teens to early 20s were reportedly fully clothed when they were discovered.
Shop owners on the seafront in Brighton say they believe the three young women had been enjoying a student night out at beachfront club, Quarters. Quarters, on the beach esplanade, runs a weekly student event called CU Next Tuesday which finishes at 4am.
Billed as David Attenborough’s 100th birthday bash, last night’s event was said to have been “packed out” with many student spilling out onto the beach. One worker said: “Police were down earlier speaking to people from the club. Apparently their handbags were found on the beach along with a coat. I saw coastguard officers searching for more of their personal belongings like phones.
“It’s absolutely dreadful. The student night is always packed out. I was told students were spilling out onto the beach, smoking and drinking.”
Police have confirmed they are not seeking anyone else following the discovery.
During a press conference held at the incident location along the shoreline, Sussex Police Chief Superintendent Adam Hays described it as a “tragic incident”. “Our priority right now is to identify all three women and contact their next of kin,” he said.
“I know this incident will be highly distressing for the community, and we are working hard with our partners to understand exactly what has happened. This includes gathering and reviewing CCTV in the surrounding area.” The coastguard is not searching for anyone else, he added.
Emergency services raced to the beach accompanied by a helicopter and lifeboats on Wednesday morning after receiving reports of concern for three women in the sea.
Emergency crews responded at around 5.45am. Tragically, the bodies of three women were recovered from the water near Madeira Drive.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays had earlier stated: “This is a tragic incident and fast-moving enquiries are ongoing to confirm the identities of these three women and understand exactly what has happened.
“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. We will provide further updates as soon as they are available.”
The coastguard has released a statement following the discovery of three women’s bodies this morning near Brighton beach. It confirmed: “HM Coastguard is responding to an incident reported at Brighton beach at about 5.50am on 13 May.
“An HM Coastguard helicopter has been sent as well as Coastguard Rescue Teams from Shoreham, Newhaven, Littlehampton and Birling Gap, and three RNLI lifeboats from Brighton and Shoreham. Sussex Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service have also attended.”
An inquiry to establish the identity of the women is now under way. Brighton Beach is an eight-mile expanse of pebbled coastline running along the southern English city.
The RNLI confirmed Brighton Lifeboat and Shoreham All-weather Lifeboat were deployed this morning around 6am to assist with the search operation.
Numerous individuals have taken to social media in the wake of the tragedy. “My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the women,” wrote one person on Facebook.
Another commented: “So very sad for all involved, this is a terrible tragedy and my heart goes out to everyone affected as the investigation unfolds.” A third remarked: “Very sad! Condolences to their family’s.”
