One other person remains seriously ill in hospital, and a cordon remained in place as investigations continued on Thursday.

Initial reports described a tragic incident, later confirmed as two deaths with investigators continuing to examine the circumstances.

Background details indicate the deceased may be connected to a British-Bangladeshi family, with mentions of relatives from east London and Barking.

A tragic incident at West Mersea Beach left a 15-year-old girl and a woman in their 40s dead, a seven-year-old cousin in critical condition, and several others injured as multiple people got into difficulty in the water.

Eyewitnesses note strong tides, open-water dangers, and rapid changes in depth, with a mass-scale rescue effort described by a beach hut owner and local volunteers who supported a swift emergency response.

Emergency services were alerted in the early evening after several individuals ran into trouble near Seaview Avenue at Sea View Holiday Park.

The families involved are in shock and have asked for privacy as extended relatives and the local community offer condolences.

Police appeal for information or footage related to incident 1090 to aid the ongoing investigation, with officials noting the parties involved likely knew one another.

Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher extended sympathy to the families and encouraged any additional witnesses to come forward as the inquiry continues.

Investigators are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, including seeking witnesses or footage from the beach, while the involved parties are believed to have known each other.

Public figures and local officials expressed condolences and praised emergency services and teenage bystanders who helped during the incident.

Coastguard and emergency services urged the public to avoid the affected area while the investigation proceeds and asked for any information or footage from those present.