The three young women who died off the coast of Brighton were related and visiting from London, it has been reported.
The bodies of the women were recovered at Brighton Marina early on Wednesday morning. Police now believe they have been able to identify them.
Emergency services were called after concerns were raised for the women’s welfare at around 5.45am. A major search-and-rescue operation was launched involving coastguard boats and two helicopters.
It is understood the three women were aged from 20 to 30 years old and that they were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive.
Sussex Police have said officers believe they have identified all three women and their next of kin have been informed.
But the force said it would not be appropriate to publicly name them until the process to formally identify them is completed.
An investigation into how the women came to be in the water is ongoing, and there is no evidence to suggest criminality or that anyone else was involved. Sussex Police said the probe includes a “number of hypotheses”.
A woman who lives in Jamaica said on social media that the three victims were her cousins, the Daily Mail reported.
It has also been reported that the three relatives were from London.
Coastguards have said the women may have got into difficulty after stepping off a shingle shelf which descends sharply into deep water.
Shop owners on the seafront said they believed the three young women had been out at a student night. It is understood that police have been taking CCTV from nightclubs.
There were reported to have been rough seas off the coast of the city.
A large police presence was at the scene on Wednesday.
The coastguard sent a helicopter as well as rescue teams from Shoreham, Newhaven, Littlehampton and Birling Gap, and three RNLI lifeboats from Brighton and Shoreham.
Black Rock car park in Brighton and the beach next to were closed to the public.
A bunch of yellow tulips and white carnations were left at the scene on Thursday.
Sussex Police Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: “This is an utterly heartbreaking tragedy, and my thoughts are with the loved ones of these three young women after their devastating loss.
“They will remain at the forefront of our minds as we search for the answers their families, and the wider public, desperately seek.
“This is a sensitive investigation that includes a number of hypotheses, and it would not be appropriate to speculate as we to continue to gather evidence.
“I would once again ask for the public’s patience while we establish the full facts, which will be shared publicly as soon as we are able.”
Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade, issued a statement on the tragedy.
He said: “News today in Brighton, where the bodies of three women were recovered from the sea off Kemp Town, was a sobering and heartbreaking reminder that our families, neighbours, and communities are what is important.
“I am desperately upset for the families and friends of these women.
“At these tragic times, I also think about the Coastguard and the police.
“So I've also written a letter of thanks to them—their courage and bravery is to be so admired.”
Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said she sent her sincere condolences on behalf the city to the women’s family members and loved ones.
“We are all devastated by what has happened on the seafront,” she said.
“For three young women to lose their lives off the coast of our city is harrowing and deeply distressing.”
Sussex Police have asked anyone with further information to contact them online or on 101, quoting Operation Ledmore.
