Section of Brighton’s West Pier collapses into the sea

A section of Brighton’s historic West Pier has collapsed into the sea during the wet and windy weather brought by Storm Austen, with BBC footage showing waves battering the landmark as part of it falls into the water.

The pier, which opened in 1866, has been closed to the public since 1975. Once a major attraction, it drew two million visitors at its peak, but its popularity declined after the Second World War. Its ruined remains have since become a symbol of Brighton for some, the BBC reports.

Storms in late 2002 brought down major sections of the structure. Two fires the following year destroyed most of what remained, and later storms further damaged its iron frame. The latest collapse is part of that long deterioration.

The pier’s damage was also reported as Storm Austen brought strong winds and heavy rain across southern Britain.