Unexplained death: Body found face down on Brighton Beach in Dunedin

Police confirmed the body was found at 10am and asked people to avoid the beach. Photo / Peter McIntosh, Otago Daily Times

Police are treating the death of a man found face down in the sand on Brighton Beach as unexplained but do not believe he died in suspicious circumstances.

An Otago Daily Times reporter said a scene guard was in place at an entrance to Brighton Beach this morning and three police cars were present.

A witness was also being spoken to.

A body was clearly visible lying face down on the sand.

The police presence was heavier by this afternoon and multiple Dunedin CIB detectives were carrying out a scene examination.

Police confirmed the body was found at 10am and asked people to avoid the beach.

A detective at the scene said they were yet to identify the body and he was not prepared to comment until a scene examination was completed.

He would not be drawn on reports the body was that of a local missing person, or that police did not believe the death was suspicious.

Police said in a media update at 2.35pm they were continuing to make inquiries after the discovery of the body.

Police are looking to identify the body and the death is being treated as unexplained.