Emergency response stood down after reports of two girls in trouble off Edinburgh's Portobello Beach

HM Coastguard said it was alerted at 4.55pm to two girls in difficulty in the water off the beach.

A spokesperson said two rescue helicopters were deployed as well as rescue teams from South Queensferry, North Berwick and Fisherrow.

RNLI lifeboats from Queensferry and Anstruther also assisted.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 5.45pm on Thursday, 28 May, 2026, officers received a report of concern for two people having entered the water at Portobello beach.

“Emergency services are in attendance. Officers are speaking to the reporter to get more information."

A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard is coordinating the response to a report made at about 4.55pm on 28 May of two girls in difficulty in the water off Portobello beach.

“Two HM Coastguard helicopters have been sent as well as Coastguard Rescue Teams from South Queensferry, North Berwick and Fisherrow, and RNLI lifeboats from Queensferry and Anstruther.

“Police Scotland is attending.”

A spokesperson for RNLI said: “Lifeboats from Queensferry and Anstruther RNLI lifeboat stations were tasked by HM Coastguard to an incident off Portobello beach around 5pm on Thursday 28 May.”

Following an extensive search, nobody was found. The search and rescue was stood down at around 8:55pm.

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard coordinated the response to a report made at about 4.55pm on 28 May of two girls in difficulty in the water off Portobello beach.

“Two HM Coastguard helicopters were sent as well as Coastguard Rescue Teams from South Queensferry, North Berwick and Fisherrow, and RNLI lifeboats from Queensferry and Anstruther. Police Scotland attended.

“After an extensive search, no one was found to be in distress and the HM Coastguard response was stood down at about 8.55pm, pending any new information.”