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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Birling Gap beach evacuated after suspected chemical leak | Birling Gap beach evacuated after suspected chemical leak |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Emergency services have evacuated a beach in Sussex after a suspected chemical leak. | Emergency services have evacuated a beach in Sussex after a suspected chemical leak. |
| People on the beach at Birling Gap reported painful, stinging eyes and breathing difficulties after a "mist" appeared. | People on the beach at Birling Gap reported painful, stinging eyes and breathing difficulties after a "mist" appeared. |
| Sussex Police said there was an "unknown haze coming in from the sea" affecting the East Sussex coastline. | Sussex Police said there was an "unknown haze coming in from the sea" affecting the East Sussex coastline. |
| Surrounding roads have been closed and people are being advised to avoid the area. | |
| A police spokesman said the first report came in just before 17:00 BST where "up to 50 people had been affected by irritation to eyes and throats". | A police spokesman said the first report came in just before 17:00 BST where "up to 50 people had been affected by irritation to eyes and throats". |
| Emergency services are treating people at Birling Gap and clearing the surrounding area. | Emergency services are treating people at Birling Gap and clearing the surrounding area. |
| People are being warned to stay away from the beaches from Birling Gap to Eastbourne and to keep doors and windows closed if living on the nearby coast. | People are being warned to stay away from the beaches from Birling Gap to Eastbourne and to keep doors and windows closed if living on the nearby coast. |
| 'Stinging' | 'Stinging' |
| Roy Page was on the beach when it happened and he told BBC South East Today: "It was like a mist coming down the beach from the west. Over a period of about 30-35 seconds I started to itch my eyes and so did other people. | |
| "Within about two or three minutes my wife really started to itch badly because she has had some operations and they [her eyes] were stinging. | "Within about two or three minutes my wife really started to itch badly because she has had some operations and they [her eyes] were stinging. |
| "Suddenly everyone around started getting up and either putting sea water on their eyes or dropping water on their eyes to clear it out." | "Suddenly everyone around started getting up and either putting sea water on their eyes or dropping water on their eyes to clear it out." |
| The RNLI said a significant number of people on cliff tops had complaining of skin irritation, sore eyes and vomiting. | |
| Concerns that people could be trapped on the beach saw the RNLI launch lifeboats, including one with a doctor on board. | |
| A spokesman said: "We have been checking along the shoreline to try and ensure that everyone is safe." | 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. | He said a "plume" had drifted across the area bringing "some sort of substance" with it. |
| Sussex Police Operations Chief Inspector tweeted: "Cloud moving towards Eastbourne Bexhill area please be aware". | Sussex Police Operations Chief Inspector tweeted: "Cloud moving towards Eastbourne Bexhill area please be aware". |
| East Sussex Fire & Rescue urged people to "stay indoors with windows and doors shut and where possible, move away from the area". | |
| It added: "If you feel any effects, such as stinging eyes, the South East Coast Ambulance Service is advising to wash with copious amounts of water. | |
| "If you have any serious concerns then you should seek medical advice. | |
| "People are urged not to go to hospital unless an absolute emergency." | |
| The National Trust, which owns the land and has a cafe and visitor centre there, said it was aware of the incident and was working with the emergency services. | The National Trust, which owns the land and has a cafe and visitor centre there, said it was aware of the incident and was working with the emergency services. |
| People on Twitter have reported the mist smelled of chlorine. | People on Twitter have reported the mist smelled of chlorine. |