A police officer has been found dead on a beach in Northern Ireland.
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The body of a man, believed to be a detective inspector, was discovered at Whiterocks Beach in County Antrim on Sunday.
Emergency services rushed to the scene following the discovery.
According to Belfast Live, members of the public were urged to avoid the area. This is while investigators begin examining the circumstances surrounding the death.
Police Officer Dead After Body Discovered on Beach
The officer was one of two people whose bodies were recovered in separate coastal incidents across Northern Ireland on Sunday.
A second incident took place near Rostrevor in County Down. Though authorities do not currently believe the two cases are connected.
A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed an investigation had been launched following the discovery at Whiterocks Beach.
"Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a man whose body was located on the beach in Whiterocks on Sunday, 17th May," the spokesperson said.
"A post mortem examination will be carried out to establish the cause of the death, which is not believed to be suspicious."
The identity of the deceased has not yet been officially confirmed by police.
Tributes Paid as Investigations Continue
The deputy mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council later appealed for privacy for the man's family.
Alderman Richard Brown Stewart spoke following the tragic discovery and praised emergency responders for their actions at the scene.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased at what will be an incredibly difficult and distressing time for them," he said.
"I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services and all those involved in responding to the incident with professionalism, dignity and care. I would ask people to respect the privacy of the family as investigations continue."
In the second coastal incident, officers responded to reports of a man's body in the water. This was near Kilbroney Park on Shore Road.
Police said the report was received at around 8:45 AM on Sunday morning.
A PSNI spokesperson later confirmed that a post-mortem examination would also take place in that case. They added that the death "is not being treated as suspicious."
Authorities are expected to release further details once both investigations and post-mortem examinations progress further.
