Toxic cloud on Worthing beach ‘may have been POISON GAS’

A toxic cloud which left up to a dozen people vomiting on Worthing beach may have been poison gas leaking from a munitions ship dating back to the First World War.

An investigation is now underway by The Maritime and Coastguard Agency after a toxic haze saw people evacuated from the seaside resort in East Sussex following complaints of sore eyes and vomiting on August 11. 

Following the incident, it is now feared that the cloud may have been caused by the dozens of cargo vessels and munitions ships containing weapons and poisonous gas that were sunk in the English Channel during the war from 1914-1918. 

In May, deadly mustard gas leaked from a First World War underwater ‘weapons cemetery’ in the North Sea, close to the Belgian coast.

Traces of the gas – which killed thousands of soldiers in the conflict – have since been found in at least two locations in the North Sea close to the Flanders coast in Belgium. 

During the war, chemicals were also sealed in concrete containers and dumped in the sea by both sides at the end of the conflict. 

Now it is feared the ‘rusting timebombs’ are rupturing in stormy seas causing toxic gases to bubble up to the surface and then drift along the sea surface and onto the coast.

In a similar incident in 2017 up to 50 people suffered stinging eyes, sore throats and vomiting – symptoms similar to those from inhaling poison gas – at Birling Gap just 20 miles down the coast.

After that incident, the Coastguard and Maritime Agency said the most probable cause of the leak was either a wreck, lost cargo or a passing ship. 

As with yesterday’s incident, the toxic haze in 2017 happened after a stormy period of high winds and choppy seas which could have caused containers on the sea bed to rupture. 

On Sunday, two people were taken to hospital and others were left having to splash water in their eyes and mouth following a what was described as a ‘hazardous material incident’ on the seafront.   

Sussex Police force said ‘a small number of people’ reported stinging eyes, skin and vomiting and the fire service advised residents to shut their windows and doors and not to venture outside.

One witness said: ‘People were doubled over heaving and retching. Others were having water splashed in their eyes and around their mouth.

‘It’s really worrying because this has happened before and we seem to be no closer to finding out where this toxic gas is coming from.

‘I think it is absolutely ridiculous UK authorities don’t know what it is or where it is coming from. If there are rusting timebombs then could be gassed to death in our sleep and no-one would be any the wiser.’ 

The two people who were taken to hospital were later discharged  but advised to go home, wash their clothes and have a shower.’   

Following the events yesterday, a cordon was set up and a section of the beach was evacuated, with people told to avoid the area and lock windows and doors. 

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton wrote on Twitter the investigation was in response to reports of ‘bathers affected by some sort of chemical type irritants’.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said at 4.10pm they had stood down and left the scene, adding that police would remain in the area to reassure the public. 

A staff member at Coast Cafe said customers were calm and that ‘a couple of people were complaining of itchy eyes’.

‘They’ve cleared the seafront and we’ve got the windows closed and are locked in,’ she added. 

Former windsurfing world champion and Olympian Christine Johnston was on the beach preparing kitesurfing lessons at 12.15pm when she and her students were told to leave by beach patrol.

 ‘They came along on their buggy and said we should leave with immediate effect because there had been an incident,’ she said.

‘They said a few people had been hospitalised. They were covering their mouths with clothing.

‘I did ask [what was happening] but they wouldn’t comment.

‘They told us they were going to go down the area affected, between Lancing and Worthing. We went up to the cafe and saw quite a lot of movement of police cars and an ambulance.

‘My eyes were a bit sore and itchy, and a friend who was on the beach said she felt her eyes were sore too.’

One woman told MailOnline: ‘I was walking along Worthing beach at that time with my friend and her little girl, wondering what was going on and my eyes were feeling sore so we left the beach straight away.’ 

South East Coast Ambulance Service said it was called ‘following reports that a small number of people were suffering sore eyes and vomiting on the beach at Worthing. We have sent an initial response but have no further information at this time’.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: ‘WSFRS officers are continuing to work with multi partner agencies to assess the scene at Worthing seafront.’    

One woman said her friend complained of sore eyes while they were enjoying a day out on the beach.

She wrote on Facebook: ‘My friend complained of burning eyes this morning just after 11am while we were sitting on the beach.’

Another woman tweeted: ‘Just left Worthing – my eyes were really sore – thought it was the wind!’  

One person tweeted: ‘Cycled right through Worthing, eyes were stinging, thought it was just the head on wind’ 

Sussex Police tweeted just before 12.40pm on Sunday: ‘Emergency services are responding to a hazardous material incident in Worthing.

In an updated statement at 2.50pm, police said they were continuing to respond to the incident.

They added: ‘A small number of people have reported symptoms including sore eyes and vomiting, two of whom were taken to hospital. 

‘They have both since been discharged, and advised to go home, wash their clothes and have a shower.

‘Anyone else affected is advised to do the same – and use copious amounts of water to wash your eyes.

‘We’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to investigate the full circumstances. We will release more information as soon as we are able to.’

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency today said: ‘HM Coastguard was contacted at 11:20 yesterday morning (11 August) with a report of a number of people suffering from sore eyes at Worthing Beach. 

‘Sussex Police, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, South East Ambulance Service, Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team and a Senior Coastal Operations Officer were all sent. 

‘The Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s Counter Pollution and Salvage Branch has been informed and is monitoring the situation along with the Local Authority and Environment Agency. 

‘At this time we do not know the source and the MCA is investigating if the source could have been from a vessel. 

‘The MCA is also looking at weather patterns and vessel movements to establish if there were any vessels in the area that were capable of carrying a gas or could have cargo tanks (carrying solid or liquid cargo) which could have been venting at the time.’ 

A statement released by Sussex Police read: ‘Emergency services are standing down following a hazardous material incident in Worthing.

‘The decision was made following a full assessment by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and partner agencies.

‘All cordons have since been lifted and the seafront is now open as usual.

‘A small number of people reported symptoms including sore eyes and vomiting, two of whom were taken to hospital. They have both since been discharged, and advised to go home, wash their clothes and have a shower.’