A popular East Sussex beach has been evacuated and locals told to shut their doors and windows after a massive ‘chlorine cloud’ left 50 people with burning eyes.
The coastguard, police and fire and rescue crews are all thought to be present at Birling Gap near Beachy Head – a notorious spot for suicides.
Sameer Jadhav said on Twitter: ‘Birling Gap some weird gas leak. People crying. Ambulances called. Don’t go to Birling Gap at the moment.’
Dan Sankey added: ‘Beautiful afternoon at Birling Gap cut short by some weird mist, burning everyone’s eyes which led to the beach and cliff being evacuated.’
Kyle Crickmore said: ‘Some sort of chemical incident at Birling Gap, eyes are streaming and there’s a strong smell of Chlorine in the air.’
Up to 50 people have been affected by the cloud.
A Sussex Police spokesman said: ‘A “haze” that is causing discomfort for people along the coast from Eastbourne to Birling Gap has prompted emergency services to warn people to stay away from the beaches and to keep doors and windows closed if living near the coast.
‘The first report came from Birling Gap just before 5pm on Sunday 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.
‘Emergency services are treating people at Birling Gap and clearing the area. People living along the coast in the area have been advised to keep doors and windows shut and to move away from the Birling Gap area in particular.’
Source: Daily Mailonline
