Part of famous Brighton pier collapses as Atlantic storms sweep into England

Part of the ruins of one of England’s most recognizable piers has collapsed into the seaByPAN PYLAS Associated PressOctober 23, 2026, 5:03 AMLONDON -- Part of the ruins of one of England's most recognizable piers partially collapsed into the sea on Friday as the first of this weekend's two major storms swept in from the Atlantic, knocking out power to thousands of homes and businesses.A section of the remnants of the historic West Pier in the popular southern England town of Brighton fell into the sea as it was buffeted by tall waves pushed by a storm the U.K.'s national forecaster has named Austen.It's the latest diminution of the structure, which was set ablaze in 2003.“Ever since the two devastating arson attacks in 2003, the West Pier has been whittled away by nature," said Professor Fred Grey, an honorary historian at the West Pier Trust. "All ruins are alive and ever-changing, and this is true of the West Pier.”The Met Office issued an amber warning — the second highest — for wind gusts of up to 80 mph (130 kph) in Cornwall and Devon as Storm Austen blows eastward along the English Channel coast. And forecasters on Jersey issued a red warning for shipping around the Channel I...