Up to 50 people are suffering breathing difficulties after a mystery 'chlorine' mist crept across the sea towards Beachy Head this afternoon. Sussex Police said an unknown "haze" coming from the sea had left up to 50 people along the coast from Eastbourne to Birling Gap with irritation to their eyes and throats. Dawn Whittaker, from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Public warned to avoid Birling Gap area as emergency Services dealing with potential environmental issue, many casualties.”

Kyle Crickmore, at the scene, said: “Some sort of chemical incident at Birling Gap, eyes are streaming and there’s a strong smell of Chlorine in the air.”

Gary Topley told the Eastbourne Herald, “Just not long back left Birling Gap. Affected people took to Twitter to report their experiences:

Dan Sankey wrote on Twitter: "Beautiful afternoon at Birling Gap cut short by some weird mist, burning everyone's eyes which led to the beach and cliff being evacuated." Image copyright Eddie Mitchell Image caption The advice to keep windows and doors shut in affected areas has now been withdrawn

In the past, chemicals have drifted across from European industrial units, but Sussex Police said: "Weather models suggest that an onshore source in northern France is very unlikely." He said a "plume" had drifted across the area bringing "some sort of substance" with it which seemed to affect a number of people.Police said the source of the haze has not yet been established.
Police issued a warning and evacuation orders after a unknown chemical "haze" leaves over 200 people on Britain's south coast, between the towns of Eastbourne and Birling Gap, suffering irritation to their eyes and throats.