Following the incident, the whole waterfront was sealed off by police, who have so far failed to specify what substance the visitors were exposed to before starting to experience the unpleasant effects.
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.