Two women died after going swimming at a beach in Aberdeen.

The pair, who were foreign nationals, got into difficulty at 12.45am on Friday.

A 22 and 36-year-old, who lived in the city, were pulled from the water before they were pronounced dead in hospital.

Officers said a witness called the police after noticing the pair in difficulty.

Chief inspector Martin Mackay said: "Above all my thoughts are with all of those who will be affected by this tragic incident.

"While officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding why these women came to be in the water so late at night, at this stage there are no suspicious circumstances.

"We understand they entered the water for the purposes of swimming but sadly they underestimated the conditions.

"Extensive efforts are ongoing to make contact with their next of kin."

A stretch of the beach has been cordoned off while investigations are carried out.

Davie Orr, coxswain of Aberdeen Lifeboat, added: "They were unconscious when we were called to them.

"It's quite distressing for our crew. The RNLI ethos is to save life at sea and that's not been achieved.

"The atmosphere at the lifeboat station just isn't the same."