Two people have died after being pulled from the sea off Aberdeen beach.

Emergency services were called to the Esplanade at 12.40am on Friday following a report that two females were in the water.

The two people were rescued from the water by the RNLI inshore lifeboat and were taken to hospital where they died.

The coastguard helicopter and Aberdeen and Stonehaven Coastguard Rescue Teams were also involved in the operation.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “At 0045 hours on Friday 19 April 2019 Police Scotland along with partner agencies from Scottish Fire and Rescue, Scottish Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard and RNLI attended a report of two people in the sea off of Aberdeen beach.

“Both people were recovered by the RNLI inshore lifeboat and taken to hospital where tragically, despite efforts to save them both, they sadly died.

“There are no further details available just now and our thoughts are with the individuals’ families and friends at this sad time.”