Bournemouth Beach Inquest Reveals Prior Mass Rescues and Safety Lapses

An inquest into the drowning deaths of two children highlights previous mass rescues and delayed safety measures at Bournemouth beach.

The inquest heard that Bournemouth beach had experienced three mass casualty rescues during the summers of 2021 and 2022.
Sunnah Khan, 12, and Joe Abbess, 17, drowned on May 31, 2023, after being caught in a riptide near Bournemouth pier.
A 2020 safety audit identified a high-risk 'topographically-constrained rip' and recommended improved signage, which was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The RNLI's review, completed in March 2023, suggested additional warning signs for strong currents and child supervision.
Parents of the victims have questioned the adequacy of lifeguard responses and the absence of warning signs about rip currents.