Hundreds affected as gas cloud hits Sussex coast

Around 150 people sought medical treatment and hundreds more are believed to have been affected by an unknown gas cloud that hit the East Sussex coast on Sunday.

The first reports of a 'haze' coming in from the sea were received from Birling Gap, between Eastbourne and Seaford, just before 5pm. People's eyes and throats were irritated as the plume of gas moved eastwards along the coast as far as Bexhill.

The last reports were received some three hours after the first, but long queues built up at Eastbourne General District Hospital well into the evening, with approximately 150 people being treated. However, the effects were mostly minor and it was not necessary to admit anyone for further treatment.

Initially, patients were dealt with as a precaution with a full decontamination treatment, but it became clear that this was not necessary following clinical advice.

While the nature of the gas hasn't been established, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has advised that it is 'extremely unlikely' that it was chlorine, as was being suggested on social media. The effects, while uncomfortable, were not serious and an investigation is now under way by a number of agencies working in partnership to establish the source of the gas.

It is believed that it came in from the sea, but this has not been confirmed and work continues to locate the cause.

The situation will continue to be monitored, but police believed that this was an isolated incident and is not expected to recur.