FIVE people have died today in the sea at Camber Sands. 

Three men died after being pulled from the sea at the popular tourist beach this afternoon. 

The bodies of a further two men were found in the water between 8.15pm and 8.45pm, Sussex Police confirmed this evening. 

A search is under way for a further missing person, with two lifeboats and a helicopter combing the water off the coast.

Richard Tollett, lifeboat operations manager at Rye Harbour, said: "As the tide has receded it has left a couple more bodies on the beach in the sand at Camber.

"A member of the public found them and that person reported another one in the water so we have got two lifeboats and a helicopter searching the area trying to find the other one."

The first three men died despite efforts by medics to save them after being pulled from the sea near Rye at about 2.15pm.

Suggestions that their deaths may be linked to jellyfish have been ruled out, and police said there was nothing to suggest the men were migrants.

Chief Superintendent Di Roskilly said: "This has been an incredibly tragic situation.

"At this stage we are doing all we can to establish who the men are and to identify next of kin.

"We are continuing to work with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Royal National Lifeboat Institute, South East Coast Ambulance and Rother District Council to establish what has happened."

The deaths bring the toll to 12 in less than a week as people head for the coast at the tail end of the school holidays.

It is the second serious incident to take place recently at Camber Sands, which with its sand dunes has long been a popular destination for beach-goers.

Last month 19-year-old Brazilian Gustavo Silva Da Cruz died after getting into difficulty while swimming in the sea there.

The RNLI has urged seaside visitors to take care and respect the water.

A spokeswoman said: "The sea may look appealing, and the RNLI would encourage people to use it, but do so safely - it can be dangerously unpredictable.

"Please visit lifeguarded beaches and swim between the red and yellow flags - the safe swim zone and the area watched by lifeguards.

"RNLI lifeguards are always happy to answer any questions or advise of any risks, including where any rip currents may be, which can catch out even the most experienced swimmers."