A relative of the victims has stated that a very strong tide was responsible for the drownings that occurred in West Mersea.

A teenager and a woman in her 40s have died after encountering difficulties in the sea off West Mersea beach in Essex, England, with three other individuals hospitalized, one in serious condition.

Police have closed an Essex beach and are warning people to avoid the Seaview Avenue and beach area of West Mersea as the coastguard responds to what has been described as a 'tragic incident,' though the nature of the event has not been disclosed.