Visitors at Worthing Pier in the UK and nearby beaches were hastily evacuated after some of them started suffering from a burning sensation in their eyes and vomiting. A Sussex Police report mentioned a "hazardous material incident" that occurred in Worthing on the same day.
#Breaking: Tourists and locals are being evacuated at #Worthing pier in #Sussex, because being exposed to an unknown substance causing them to vomit instantly and eyes being sore and red. pic.twitter.com/iaI0EZ9k8f
— Sotiri Dimpinoudis (@sotiridi) August 11, 2019
Police have cordoned off the pier, seafront, and a nearby road, which was shortly reopened, also advising residents to shut their windows and doors without giving any detailed information. Police officers were seen investigating the Worthing Pier.
"A small number of people have reported symptoms including sore eyes and vomiting. The investigation is ongoing and we will release more information as soon as we are able to", the police said.
A number of people have complained on social media that they experienced "sore" or "itchy" eyes, while sitting at the beach or simply cycling through the town.