A 37-year-old woman and seven-year-old boy have died in hospital following a "tragic" incident at Aberdeen beach.
Three more people, a 28-year-old man, a 25-year-old woman and a 13-year-old-boy, remain in hospital for treatment.
The alarm was raised around 4.45pm on Saturday, after reports came in of people in difficulty in the water, and a rescue operation was launched.
Martin Vicaa, who witnessed the incident, told The Scottish Sun: "The tide was all the way in and at that point it would be reaching six or seven feet up the sea wall.
"There's a sloped bit of the sea wall then there's a wee flat bit then a vertical drop. They were on the wee flat bit.
"The first police car that arrived tore down the slope and straight into the water. It was not a question of playing around trying to be safe, waiting for lifeboats or whatever.
"Members of the public were helping as much as they could.
Chief Inspector Stewart Mackie said: "This is a very tragic incident which has resulted in a woman and young boy sadly losing their lives - it will undoubtedly bring shock and sadness to the entire city of Aberdeen and further afield.
"As we work with partners to establish the full circumstances of today's events, we urge anyone who witnessed the incident or perhaps have information that could assist, to make contact with police via 101.
"Given the recent weather conditions we'd urge members of the public to take care, especially when near coastal or beach areas."
