Chemical haze causes eye problems

Hundreds of people on the East Sussex coast reported irritated eyes and breathing difficulties last week following the appearance of a chemical haze.

Visitors to Birling Gap and Beachy Head were worst hit by the chlorine-like haze which came ashore on Sunday afternoon as hundreds enjoyed the bank holiday sunshine on the sands.

Members of the public were seen at local accident and emergency departments in special triage tents for hazardous chemicals. Individuals with stinging eyes were advised to irrigate their eyes regularly.

Sussex Police said: ‘Neither the gas nor its source have been established but agencies are continuing to investigate and have not ruled out either onshore or off-shore locations, although it does appear that it did sweep in from the sea driven by on-shore breezes. However, weather models suggest that an onshore source in northern France is very unlikely.’