Police believe they have identified three women whose bodies were recovered from the sea off Brighton beach.

Sussex police said next of kin have been informed, but it would not be appropriate to publicly name them until the process of formally identifying them is complete.

Emergency services were called after concerns were raised for a person’s welfare at about 5.45am on Wednesday, and three bodies were recovered from the sea near Madeira Drive. An investigation into how the women came to be in the water is ongoing, and there is no evidence to suggest criminality or anyone else was involved.

Sussex police said the investigation included a “number of hypotheses”. One line of inquiry being explored is that the women may have entered the water from the beach, near where they were found, and got into difficulty.

Ch Supt Adam Hays said: “This is an utterly heartbreaking tragedy, and my thoughts are with the loved ones of these three young women after their devastating loss.

“They will remain at the forefront of our minds as we search for the answers their families, and the wider public, desperately seek. This is a sensitive investigation that includes a number of hypotheses, and it would not be appropriate to speculate as we continue to gather evidence.

“I would once again ask for the public’s patience while we establish the full facts, which will be shared publicly as soon as we are able.”

Police and coastguard officials were stationed along the seafront and on the shingle beach on Wednesday, where a lifeboat could be seen out at sea and a helicopter was flying overhead.

The sea appeared choppy, with waves crashing against the marina wall in windy conditions. The beach reopened later in the evening.

Brighton and Hove city council leader Bella Sankey said: “We are all devastated by what has happened on the seafront.

“For three young women to lose their lives off the coast of our city is harrowing and deeply distressing.

She said that city bosses were reviewing safety measures following the deaths. “As a seaside city, we know how much people value our beaches, and we take our responsibility for safety extremely seriously,” she added.

“While we always work to make the seafront as safe as possible, tragedies like this are a stark reminder of the challenges involved.”

Sussex police have asked anyone with further information to contact them online or on 101, quoting Operation Ledmor.