Warning as chemical 'haze' affects beach goers
Emergency services have warned people along the East Sussex coast to keep doors and windows closed after a chemical 'haze' descended on beach goers.
Sussex Police said an unknown "haze" coming from the sea had left up to 50 people along the coast from Eastbourne to Birling Gap with irritation to their eyes and throats.
East Sussex Fire and Rescure Service said the "chemical incident" was ongoing.
Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire Service are dealing with an incident in the Birling Gap area. (1/2)
-- Sussex Police (@sussex_police) August 27, 2017
The first calls were made to the emergency services just before 5pm.
The cause of the haze is currently unknown.
The RNLI said that "possibly some kind of gaseous fumes" had drifted over the scene and a significant number of people on cliff tops had been struck down with symptoms including irritation, sore eyes and vomiting.
Members of the public are advised by Fire Service to stay indoors and shut windows if you are in the Eastbourne area. (2/2)
-- Sussex Police (@sussex_police) August 27, 2017
Fears from the coastguard that people could be trapped on the beach saw the RNLI launch all-weather lifeboats from Eastbourne and Newhaven to the Birling Gap area.
There was a doctor on board the Eastbourne lifeboat.
A 'haze' causing eye and throat irritation along coast #Eastbourne to #BirlingGap. Keep windows and doors closed. https://t.co/pTE609BitO
-- Sussex Police (@sussex_police) August 27, 2017
A spokesman said: "We have been checking along the shoreline to try and ensure that everyone is safe."
He said a "plume" had drifted across the area bringing "some sort of substance" with it which seemed to affect a number of people.