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| Police investigate suspected 'chemical incident' at Beachy Head after 50 people complain of stinging eyes and throats | Police investigate suspected 'chemical incident' at Beachy Head after 50 people complain of stinging eyes and throats |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Up to 50 people have complained of breathing difficulties following a suspected 'chlorine gas' leak at Beachy Head near Eastbourne this afternoon. | Up to 50 people have complained of breathing difficulties following a suspected 'chlorine gas' leak at Beachy Head near Eastbourne this afternoon. |
| Emergency services evacuated the popular beauty spot after dozens of people basking in the bank holiday weekend sunshine complained of stinging eyes and sore throats after a "mist" appeared on the beach. | Emergency services evacuated the popular beauty spot after dozens of people basking in the bank holiday weekend sunshine complained of stinging eyes and sore throats after a "mist" appeared on the beach. |
| Witnesses claimed there was a distinct and pungent smell of “chlorine” in the air at the East Sussex site, with one saying it 'stung their noses.' | Witnesses claimed there was a distinct and pungent smell of “chlorine” in the air at the East Sussex site, with one saying it 'stung their noses.' |
| People have been warned to stay away from the area as Coastguard UK confirmed they have been ushering people from the beach. | People have been warned to stay away from the area as Coastguard UK confirmed they have been ushering people from the beach. |
| Residents have also been advised to keep all their doors and windows closed. | Residents have also been advised to keep all their doors and windows closed. |
| East Sussex police have confirmed they are investigating the incident with the source of the "haze" and the irritation remaining unclear. | East Sussex police have confirmed they are investigating the incident with the source of the "haze" and the irritation remaining unclear. |
| A statement from the force said the first report came from Birling Gap where up to 50 people had been affected by "irritation to eyes and throats". | A statement from the force said the first report came from Birling Gap where up to 50 people had been affected by "irritation to eyes and throats". |
| "This seems to have been caused by an unknown haze coming in from the sea, but the source has not yet been established. | "This seems to have been caused by an unknown haze coming in from the sea, but the source has not yet been established. |
| "Emergency services are treating people at Birling Gap and clearing the area." | "Emergency services are treating people at Birling Gap and clearing the area." |
| Witness Mark Battershill was at the beach with his wife and two children aged 5 and 11. | |
| He told the BBC: "My eyes were really streaming. My wife had the same problem, and my daughter." | He told the BBC: "My eyes were really streaming. My wife had the same problem, and my daughter." |
| Police have issued a further warning that the "haze" appears to be shifting eastwards towards Hastings. | |
| The South East Coast Ambulance Service said anyone affected should 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." |