BBC Breakfast has issued a safety warning after a report revealed that people are standing on the edge of crumbling chalk cliffs on the East Sussex coast, unaware of the danger.
The segment highlighted that the cliffs contain "deep cracks" and can crumble at any time. One resident, Carol Smith, warned that people are risking their lives, adding: "It's unbelievable."
Experts and residents speak out
Janice Dykes from National Coastwatch said: "It might look like a lovely walk from the top, but they have no chance of knowing what's underneath their feet if they're near the edge."
During the broadcast, host Jon Kay noted that people had been standing "perilously close" to the edge while taking selfies.
Renewed warnings for Seven Sisters
Presenter Sally Nugent said: "The Seven Sisters cliffs in East Sussex are home to some of the UK's most breathtaking sights, but there have been renewed warnings for people to keep a safe distance from the edges."
The BBC's Sarah Smith reported that the white chalk cliffs are "soft, crumbly and full of cracks, deep cracks." She explained that while cliff sections typically disintegrate in winter after heavy rain, they could collapse "without warning" at any time.
Recent collapses and visitor response
Smith showed images of past incidents, noting: "This was Seaford 18 months ago. In Newhaven a large section went soon after that, and Birling Gap has suffered collapse after collapse."
She also spoke to visitors from London who were taking photos on the cliffs. One man said: "I'm just keeping a distance, making sure we're not near the edge. That's really it, you know. You follow the signs, you should be alright."
Back in the studio, Sally Nugent remarked: "When you see those pictures like that, you can just see how dangerous that is." She urged viewers not to risk it, saying it was "not a good idea."
BBC Breakfast airs at 6am on BBC One.
