Two women aged 22 and 36 have died in a tragic incident at Aberdeen esplanade.
Police say emergency services rushed to the beach area in the early hours of this morning after receiving reports of two people in the sea off Aberdeen Beach.
Both women – who are foreign nationals – were recovered by the RNLI inshore lifeboat and taken to hospital where, despite extensive efforts to save them, they sadly died.
Police have said there appears to be no apparent suspicious circumstances and that the women may have underestimated the conditions.
Chief Inspector Martin Mackay said: “Above all, my thoughts are with all of those who will be affected by this tragic incident.
“While officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding why these women came to be in the water so late at night, at this stage there appears to be no apparent suspicious circumstances.
“From our initial inquiries which include speaking to a witness who was at the scene at the time, we understand that they entered the water for the purpose of swimming but sadly underestimated the conditions.
“Extensive efforts are ongoing to make contact with their next of kin however I’m sure you can appreciate this might take some time.
“Formal identification has not yet taken place and further information will only be released once the families of those involved have been fully informed.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the rescue personnel who attended and assisted at the scene during the night and did their very best to save the women involved.
“Our seas can be extremely unforgiving, conditions can change rapidly and I can’t stress enough the dangers of entering the water at any time of the day or night when you are not suitably prepared.”
Two are rescued from the sea at #Aberdeen by @RNLI & our Coastguard Rescue Teams – full story here https://t.co/BNzFicw75S pic.twitter.com/SgOZJAte6Z
— Maritime&Coastguard (@MCA_media) April 19, 2019
Aberdeen Water Safety Group also issued the following statement: “First and foremost our thoughts are with the families of the two women following this terrible tragedy.
“It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time but we are obviously deeply saddened at the loss of two young lives and would like to extend our deepest sympathies to friends and families and our gratitude to rescue services who did everything they could to prevent the fatalities.”
A statement from HM Coastguard said a search and rescue helicopter from Inverness, along with Aberdeen and Stonehaven Coastguard rescue teams were sent to the scene.
