Two dead after getting into difficulty off Aberdeen Beach

Easter Weekend has begun in tragic circumstances in the North East with news that two women have died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Aberdeen beach.

Emergency services rushed to Aberdeen Beach Esplanade at about 00:45 following reports of two people in the water, with the rescue involving Aberdeen and Stonehaven coastguard as well as RNLI lifeboat crews.

The Coastguard Search & Rescue helicopter from Inverness also aided the response, with Police saying the pair were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, but despite the best efforts, both women sadly died.

Police say "Two women aged 22 and 36 have sadly died following an incident at Aberdeen Beach Esplanade in the early hours of this morning"

"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"

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 enquiries 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"

"...at this stage there appears to be no apparent suspicious circumstances" - Chief Inspector Martin Mackay.

“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"

“Public safety is paramount and Police Scotland is committed to working with our partners to ensure people know of the dangers of entering any body of water whether you are swimming, sailing or walking near the water’s edge.”