LONDON (AFP) - Three surfers died after getting into difficulties in the sea off Cornwall in England on Sunday, the coastguard said.

Emergency services were called when a group of three adults and four children with surfboards got into difficulty off Mawgan Porth beach, a picturesque holiday destination.

The three adults, a woman and a man in their 40s and a man in his 50s, were airlifted to hospital but were later pronounced dead.

The four children managed to get out of the water and are safe, the coastguard said.

"This is a tragic incident and our condolences go out to the families of those involved," said west Cornwall police superintendent Jim Pearce.

"Along with the other emergency services we are now working to ascertain the full circumstances of this incident and our priority is to contact the families of those involved and offer all the support we can." The search operation involved several rescue teams, lifeboats and a helicopter.

It is the second incident in the area this weekend after a swimmer drowned on Saturday off nearby Newquay.