Sussex Police Confirm Deaths of Palestinian British Family After Drowning Off Shoreham Fort

Three members of a Palestinian British family have drowned after entering the sea off England’s Sussex coast. The Palestinian embassy in London announced their deaths on Wednesday, a day after the family went for a swim near Shoreham Fort in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. Recommended Stories list of 3 items- list 1 of 3More than 1,300 deaths in Europe amid heatwave: What can countries do? - list 2 of 3At least 20 drown as boat carrying students after exams sinks in DR Congo - list 3 of 3Seven more people rescued after boat sinks in Indonesia, 18 still missing The father, Hossam al-Khawas, was a Palestinian refugee from the Rashidieh Camp in southern Lebanon near Tyre, the Press Association news agency reported. Police, paramedics, coastguard crews and a lifeboat were deployed at the scene where four people were pulled from the water. Al-Khawas, his partner and their daughter were pronounced dead, police said. “Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner, Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas were all confirmed deceased at the scene after being pulled from the water,” Sussex police said in a statement. A fourth person – a younger girl who was also part of the family – was taken to hospital in a critical condition. “The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends,” said Sussex police chief superintendent James Collis. “The Embassy is closely monitoring the incident and is making the necessary contacts with the relevant British authorities to ascertain its circumstances and to check on the condition of the injured girl,” the Palestinian mission in the United Kingdom said in a statement. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Wednesday warned of the dangers of open water swimming after the incident, which he described as “a terrible family tragedy”, the BBC reported. He said he sends his “best wishes and love” to the family and friends of those who died as well as the girl who remains in critical condition. Drownings have surged across Europe as people seek relief from the heatwave on the continent with incidents reported in France, Germany and the UK. Experts warned that open-water swimming can carry hidden risks, including cold water shock, strong currents and sudden changes in depth.

A six-year-old Palestinian-British girl whose parents and sister drowned earlier this week has also died in hospital, according to local police. Saja el-Khawas was taken to hospital in critical condition on Tuesday but has since died, Sussex police said Friday. Recommended Stories list of 3 items- list 1 of 3Why extreme heat is much more dangerous for the elderly than we realised - list 2 of 3Heatwaves and energy crunch: Can Europe withstand a double shock? - list 3 of 3Palestinian refugee and two relatives drown off English coast Saja’s father Hassan El-Khawas, 55, her mother Zeina Alayn, 37, and her 14-year-old sister Sara El-Khawas all died at the scene after getting into difficulty in the water at Shoreham, Sussex, on Tuesday. The family lived in London but travelled to Shoreham to visit the beach as the United Kingdom sweltered under its latest heatwave of the year. An investigation into what happened remains open, but the current theory is that it was a “tragic accident, with no third-party involvement”, the police said. British newspaper the Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday, citing the Palestinian embassy, that the family was originally from the Rashidieh refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Hassan reportedly came to the UK as a refugee, and previously lived in the Rashidieh camp, one of the most populous Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously described what happened to the el-Khawas family as a “terrible family tragedy”. The Palestinian Forum in Britain held a gathering to commemorate the family on Thursday. Drownings have surged across Europe as people seek relief from the heatwave on the continent, with incidents reported in France, Germany and the UK.

A Palestinian-British family's countryside outing on a beach in southern England turned into a tragedy after four of its members were lost following difficulties in the sea, in an incident that shook the local community. Sussex Police announced yesterday, Friday, the death of Saja Al-Khawas (6) in hospital, days after being taken there in critical condition, to join her father Hassan Al-Khawas (55), her mother Zina Al-Alein (37), and her sister Sara (14), who died at the scene of the incident. Sussex Police Chief James Collis said: 'What happened Tuesday afternoon was a tragic disaster that shattered a family and its friends.' The family, which resides in London, had gone to Shoreham Beach last Tuesday for a day by the sea, where they encountered a problem in the water. While the father, mother, and oldest daughter died at the scene, Saja was transferred to hospital but died days later. The family traces back to the Rashidiyeh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, according to the British paper Daily Telegraph, quoting the Palestinian Embassy. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the circumstances of the incident, while Sussex Police said the current hypothesis is that it was 'a tragic accident with no third-party involvement,' confirming that they cannot verify reports that the eldest daughter was entangled in a fishing net. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham described what happened as a 'horrific family tragedy.' In turn, Adnan Hamdan, head of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, said: 'According to the information available to us, the family faced strong currents while in the sea; their daughter Sara got entangled in a fishing net, and her father tried to help her break free.' He added, in statements carried by The Guardian, that 'as the waves and currents intensified, their mother Zina also entered the water in an attempt to save them, followed by their younger daughter.' Britain has witnessed a series of drownings during a record-hot summer, including the death of a 12-year-old boy last Saturday after drowning in the River Lee near the Hackney Marshes in northeast London.

A couple and their teenage daughter have died after getting into difficulty in the sea off the West Sussex coast, police said on Tuesday. A man, a woman and a teenage girl died after the incident in Shoreham-by-Sea, the chief superintendent of Sussex police, James Collis, said. A younger girl from the same family was taken to hospital in a critical condition, Collis added. The next of kin have been informed. Collis said it is understood that all four got into difficulty in the water after going for a swim. He added: “Our thoughts are with the friends and family. I know this incident will have a profound effect on the community.” Emergency services were called at about 2.40pm to reports of four people in difficulty in the sea. All four were brought to shore. The coastguard is not searching for anyone else. A spokesperson for Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex said both of its helicopters and critical care team had been sent to the scene as part of the response, and Shoreham RNLI said its lifeboat had been called out at 3pm. Tom Rutland, the MP for Shoreham, offered his condolences. “My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives, and I know the whole community here in Shoreham will be hoping and praying for the recovery of the young girl receiving medical treatment in hospital,” he said. A local said the water was “incredibly rough” and the winds were “incredibly strong”, Sky News reported. Rutland thanked the emergency services, which he said “responded swiftly” and “worked tirelessly in exceptionally difficult circumstances”. Speaking at a press conference, Collis added: “At this point we believe all four entered the water from the land to swim and sadly got into difficulty. Our partners in His Majesty’s Coastguard have completed an extensive search of the water and we are not searching for anyone else. “I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding during the emergency response. The A259 Brighton Road was blocked in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane because of the incident. There have been a number of water-related deaths in recent months during the extreme heat. On Saturday, a 12-year-old boy drowned in the River Lea, near the Hackney Marshes, in north-east London. In April, a woman and her young child died after getting into difficulty in the water in west London. Both died at the scene in Elthorne Park, Ealing, the Metropolitan police said. Anyone with information or with video footage relating to the incident in Shoreham-by-Sea should contact Sussex police.

LONDON: A British-Palestinian teenager who died along with her parents off a beach in southern England was described on Thursday as a “sweet girl” who will be greatly missed. Sara Al-Khawas, 14, her father Hassan, 55, and mother Zeina Alayn, 37, were pulled from the water at Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex on Tuesday afternoon. They were confirmed dead at the scene. Another daughter, Saja, was taken to hospital and remains in a critical condition. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that our Year 8 student, Sara, has died following a tragic incident during the school holidays,” the Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing, west London, said. “Sara was a sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students, and she will be greatly missed. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and all those affected. We are also thinking of her sister and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.” The school said that it was putting in place additional support for students families and staff who need it during this “deeply upsetting” time. The Palestinian Forum in Britain said that the Al-Khawas family are British citizens of Palestinian origin, with roots in Rashidieh refugee camp in Lebanon. The forum’s chairman, Adnan Hmidan, said two other children from the family were in the care of their paternal uncle, UK media reported. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the incident as a “terrible family tragedy” and a reminder of the dangers of swimming in open water. Police said that the family traveled from their home in London on Tuesday to visit Shoreham on the south coast of England. They entered the water from the beach at Shoreham Fort at around 2 p.m. before getting into trouble. Coast Guard, lifeboats and paramedics were involved in the rescue operation. Officers believe at this stage that their deaths were the result of a “tragic accident” but that enquiries would continue to find out what happened. Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community.”

Currency prices Prayer times RSS feeds Mobile services + more sections Provinces Women Miscellaneous Technology Science Youth and Education 9 Street Rostom Health Universities Colors of Life Pets Travel and outings History Cars Culture Pictures Cartoons Al-Wasat + more sections Provinces Women Miscellaneous Technology Science Youth and Education 9 Street Rostom Health Technology Science Youth and Education 9 Street Rostom Health Universities Colors of LifePets Travel and outing Pets Travel and outing History Cars Culture Pictures Cartoons Al-Wasat Egypt The Grand Mufti warns of the dream of rapid wealth: there are those who exploit people's ambitions Tourism and antiquities take legal measures against officials who allowed a foreigner to enter the Luxor cemeteries without tickets Endowments participate in the national campaign against measles and German measles The Supreme Council of Media receives a list of joint production programs from Channel Al-Mawah to regularize its status The Grand Mufti warns of the dream of rapid wealth: there are those who exploit people's ambitions Tourism and antiquities take legal measures against officials who allowed a foreigner to enter the Luxor cemeteries without tickets Endowments participate in the national campaign against measles and German measles The Supreme Council of Media receives a list of joint production programs from Channel Al-Mawah to regularize its status The Grand Mufti warns of the dream of rapid wealth: there are those who exploit people's ambitions Tourism and antiquities take legal measures against officials who allowed a foreigner to enter the Luxor cemeteries without tickets Endowments participate in the national campaign against measles and German measles The Supreme Council of Media receives a list of joint production programs from Channel Al-Mawah to regularize its status External affairs Middle East World Nikkei index falls amid a strong wave of tech stock selling The father of the Syrian president, Ahmad al-Sha'ra, threatens Israel: Do not test the patience of the Syrians.. this state has a people who will not be silent Officials reveal the reason behind Trump's threat to Oman External affairs Middle East World Nikkei index falls amid a strong wave of tech stock selling The father of the Syrian president, Ahmad al-Sha'ra, threatens Israel: Do not test the patience of the Syrians.. this state has a people who will not be silent Officials reveal the reason behind Trump's threat to Oman Mid East World Mid East World Nikkei index falls amid a strong wave of tech stock selling and the father of the Syrian president Ahmad al-Sha'ra threatens Israel: Do not test the patience of the Syrians.. this state has a people who will not be silent Officials reveal the reason behind Trump's threat to Oman Sports Local and International sports The Zamalek football director announces the near return of Juan Perez The الأهلي ends its training in Barcelona in preparation for the Joan Gamper Cup The Football Association expresses its thanks to the technical staff of the women's national team Local sports International sports The Zamalek football director announces the near return of Juan Perez The الأهلي ends its training in Barcelona in preparation for the Joan Gamper Cup The Football Association expresses its thanks to the technical staff of the women's national team Local sports Local sports International sports The Zamalek football director announces the near return of Juan Perez The الأهلي ends its training in Barcelona in preparation for the Joan Gamper Cup The Football Association expresses its thanks to the technical staff of the women's national team Opinion Yasin Al-Tehami in the realms of divine love.. talents of people with special abilities shine with the songs of hope Daughter of Sayyid Ziyan reveals details of her love story for her mother: he used to have a tape of songs playing for her in his car Karim Al-Shanwy warns against impersonating his identity via a fake email Internal problems participates in the short film competition at the Tripoli Film Festival - Lebanon Yasin Al-Tehami in the realms of divine love.. talents of people with special abilities shine with the songs of hope Daughter of Sayyid Ziyan reveals details of her love story for her mother: he used to have a tape of songs playing for her in his car Karim Al-Shanwy warns against impersonating his identity via a fake email Internal problems participates in the short film competition at the Tripoli Film Festival - Lebanon Yasin Al-Tehami in the realms of divine love.. talents of people with special abilities shine with the songs of hope Daughter of Sayyid Ziyan reveals details of her love story for her mother: he used to have a tape of songs playing for her in his car Karim Al-Shanwy warns against impersonating his identity via a fake email Internal problems participates in the short film competition at the Tripoli Film Festival - Lebanon Money and Business Business Citizens Oil rises amid ambiguity about exports through the Suez Canal Economic Zone Tax Authority advisor: the new system allows the taxpayer to determine the taxes owed themselves Tax Authority advisor: ending 79 thousand tax disputes.. and the tax takes from the citizen and returns to him in investments Business Citizens Oil rises amid ambiguity about exports through the Suez Canal Economic Zone Tax Authority advisor: the new system allows the taxpayer to determine the taxes owed themselves Tax Authority advisor: ending 79 thousand tax disputes.. and the tax takes from the citizen and returns to him in investments Business Citizens Oil rises amid ambiguity about exports through the Suez Canal Economic Zone Tax Authority advisor: the new system allows the taxpayer to determine the taxes owed themselves Tax Authority advisor: ending 79 thousand tax disputes.. and the tax takes from the citizen and returns to him in investments Accidents and Criminals A dispute over food.. a woman arrested after killing her husband with a bowl in Alexandria A young man found murdered with stab wounds inside his home in Sharqiya Interior denies issuing a decision to deport two Egyptians abroad Two young men killed in a motorcycle crash on the Qaroun Lake Tourist Road in Fayoum A dispute over food.. a woman arrested after killing her husband with a bowl in Alexandria A young man found murdered with stab wounds inside his home in Sharqiya Interior denies issuing a decision to deport two Egyptians abroad Two young men killed in a motorcycle crash on the Qaroun Lake Tourist Road in Fayoum A dispute over food.. a woman arrested after killing her husband with a bowl in Alexandria A young man found murdered with stab wounds inside his home in Sharqiya Interior denies issuing a decision to deport two Egyptians abroad Two young men killed in a motorcycle crash on the Qaroun Lake Tourist Road in Fayoum Television Ahmed El-Tork: Some intellectuals abandoned their national role.. and became preoccupied with increasing their followers The President of the Arab Producers Union: the producer and the performer are in the same trench.. and cooperation is necessary to obtain the right to performance The Dentists Syndicate: the profession faces quasi-uncontrolled unemployment after the number rose to 120 thousand doctors Strategic Studies Center: Iran is trying to portray itself as undefeated in war.. and its rhetoric is directed inward Ahmed El-Tork: Some intellectuals abandoned their national role.. and became preoccupied with increasing their followers The President of the Arab Producers Union: the producer and the performer are in the same trench.. and cooperation is necessary to obtain the right to performance The Dentists Syndicate: the profession faces quasi-uncontrolled unemployment after the number rose to 120 thousand doctors Strategic Studies Center: Iran is trying to portray itself as undefeated in war.. and its rhetoric is directed inward Ahmed El-Tork: Some intellectuals abandoned their national role.. and became preoccupied with increasing their followers The President of the Arab Producers Union: the producer and the performer are in the same trench.. and cooperation is necessary to obtain the right to performance The Dentists Syndicate: the profession faces quasi-uncontrolled unemployment after the number rose to 120 thousand doctors Strategic Studies Center: Iran is trying to portray itself as undefeated in war.. and its rhetoric is directed inward + more sections Provinces Women Miscellaneous Technology Science Youth and Education 9 Street Rostom Health Universities Colors of Life Pets Travel and outing History Cars Culture Pictures Cartoons Al-Wasat Provinces Women Miscellaneous Technology Science Youth and Education 9 Street Rostom Health Technology Science Youth and Education 9 Street Rostom Health Universities Colors of LifePets Travel and outing History Pets Travel and outing History Cars Culture Pictures Cartoons Al-Wasat Egypt The Grand Mufti warns of the dream of rapid wealth: there are those who exploit people's ambitions Tourism and antiquities take legal measures against officials who allowed a foreigner to enter the Luxor cemeteries without tickets Endowments participate in the national campaign against measles and German measles The Supreme Council of Media receives a list of joint production programs from Channel Al-Mawah to regularize its status The Grand Mufti warns of the dream of rapid wealth: there are those who exploit people's ambitions Tourism and antiquities take legal measures against officials who allowed a foreigner to enter the Luxor cemeteries without tickets Endowments participate in the national campaign against measles and German measles The Supreme Council of Media receives a list of joint production programs from Channel Al-Mawah to regularize its status The Grand Mufti warns of the dream of rapid wealth: there are those who exploit people's ambitions Tourism and antiquities take legal measures against officials who allowed a foreigner to enter the Luxor cemeteries without tickets Endowments participate in the national campaign against measles and German measles The Supreme Council of Media receives a list of joint production programs from Channel Al-Mawah to regularize its status Eastern Europe Middle East World The Nikkei index falls amid a wave of selling in technology stocks The father of the Syrian president, Ahmad al-Sha'ra, threatens Israel: Do not test the patience of the Syrians.. this state has a people who will not be silent Officials reveal the reason behind Trump's threat to Oman Eastern Europe Middle East World The Nikkei index falls amid a wave of selling in technology stocks The father of the Syrian president, Ahmad al-Sha'ra, threatens Israel: Do not test the patience of the Syrians.. this state has a people who will not be silent Officials reveal the reason behind Trump's threat to Oman Mid East World Mid East World Nikkei index falls amid a wave of selling in technology stocks The father of the Syrian president Ahmad al-Sha'ra threatens Israel: Do not test the patience of the Syrians.. this state has a people who will not be silent Officials reveal the reason behind Trump's threat to Oman Local and International Sports The Zamalek football director announces the near return of Juan Perez The الأهلي ends its training in Barcelona in preparation for the Joan Gamper Cup The Football Association expresses its thanks to the technical staff of the women's national team Local and International Sports The Zamalek football director announces the near return of Juan Perez The الأهلي ends its training in Barcelona in preparation for the Joan Gamper Cup The Football Association expresses its thanks to the technical staff of the women's national team Local Local International The Zamalek football director announces the near return of Juan Perez The الأهلي ends its training in Barcelona in preparation for the Joan Gamper Cup The Football Association expresses its thanks to the technical staff of the women's national team Opinion Yasin Al-Tahomi in the realms of divine love.. talents of people with abilities shine with the songs of hope Daughter of Sayyid Zian reveals details of his love for his mother: he used to have a tape of songs recorded for her to listen to in his car Karim Al-Shenawi warns against impersonation via fake email Internal problems participates in the short film competition at the Tripoli Film Festival - Lebanon Yasin Al-Tahomi in the realms of divine love.. talents of people with abilities shine with the songs of hope Daughter of Sayyid Zian reveals details of his love for his mother: he used to have a tape of songs recorded for her to listen to in his car Karim Al-Shenawy warns against impersonation via fake email Internal problems participates in the short film competition at the Tripoli Film Festival - Lebanon Yasin Al-Tahomi in the realms of divine love.. talents of people with abilities shine with the songs of hope Daughter of Sayyid Zian reveals details of his love for his mother: he used to have a tape of songs recorded for her to listen to in his car Karim Al-Shenawy warns against impersonation via fake email Internal problems participates in the short film competition at the Tripoli Film Festival - Lebanon Businesses Citizens Oil rises amid ambiguity about exports through the Suez Canal Advisor to the Head of the Tax Authority: the new system provides the taxpayer with the ability to determine the tax due himself Advisor to the Head of the Tax Authority: ending 79 thousand tax disputes.. and the tax takes from the citizen and returns to him in investments Businesses Citizens Oil rises amid ambiguity about exports through the Suez Canal Advisor to the Head of the Tax Authority: the new system provides the taxpayer with the ability to determine the tax due himself Advisor to the Head of the Tax Authority: ending 79 thousand tax disputes.. and the tax takes from the citizen and returns to him in investments Organizations Disputes over food.. a woman ends her husband’s life with a bowl in Alexandria Found a man murdered by stabbings inside his home in Sharqiya Interior denies issuing a decision to deport Egyptian citizens abroad Two young men die in a motorcycle crash on the Qaroun Lake Tourism Road in Fayoum Organizations Disputes over food.. a woman ends her husband’s life with a bowl in Alexandria Found a man murdered by stabbings inside his home in Sharqiya Interior denies issuing a decision to deport Egyptian citizens abroad Two young men die in a motorcycle crash on the Qaroun Lake Tourism Road in Fayoum Organizations Disputes over food.. a woman ends her husband’s life with a bowl in Alexandria Found a man murdered by stabbings inside his home in Sharqiya Interior denies issuing a decision to deport Egyptian citizens abroad Two young men die in a motorcycle crash on the Qaroun Lake Tourism Road in Fayoum Television Ahmed Al-Turk: some intellectuals abandoned their national role.. and became preoccupied with increasing their followers The President of the Arab Producers Union: the producer and the performer are in one trench.. and cooperation is necessary to obtain the right to performance The Dentists Syndicate: the profession faces quasi-unemployment after the number rose to 120 thousand doctors Strategic Studies Center: Iran tries to portray itself as not defeated in war.. and its discourse is directed inward Television Ahmed Al-Turk: some intellectuals abandoned their national role.. and became preoccupied with increasing their followers The President of the Arab Producers Union: the producer and the performer are in one trench.. and cooperation is necessary to obtain the right to performance The Dentists Syndicate: the profession faces quasi-unemployment after the number rose to 120 thousand doctors Strategic Studies Center: Iran tries to portray itself as not defeated in war.. and its discourse is directed inward Television Ahmed Al-Turk: some intellectuals abandoned their national role.. and became preoccupied with increasing their followers The President of the Arab Producers Union: the producer and the performer are in one trench.. and cooperation is necessary to obtain the right to performance The Dentists Syndicate: the profession faces quasi-unemployment after the number rose to 120 thousand doctors Strategic Studies Center: Iran tries to portray itself as not defeated in war.. and its discourse is directed inward + more sections Provinces Women Miscellaneous Technology Science Youth and Education 9 Street Rostom Health The Grand Mufti warns of the dream of rapid wealth: there are those who exploit people's ambitions Tourism and antiquities take legal measures against officials who allowed a foreigner to enter the Luxor cemeteries without tickets Endowments participate in the national campaign against measles and German measles The Supreme Council of Media receives a list of joint production programs from Channel Al-Mawah to regularize its status The Grand Mufti warns of the dream of rapid wealth: there are those who exploit people's ambitions Tourism and antiquities take legal measures against officials who allowed a foreigner to enter the Luxor cemeteries without tickets Endowments participate in the national campaign against measles and German measles The Supreme Council of Media receives a list of joint production programs from Channel Al-Mawah to regularize its status Eastern Europe Middle East World The Nikkei index falls amid a wave of selling in technology stocks The father of the Syrian president, Ahmad al-Sha'ra, threatens Israel: Do not test the patience of the Syrians.. this state has a people who will not be silent Officials reveal the reason behind Trump's threat to Oman Eastern Europe Middle East World The Nikkei index falls amid a wave of selling in technology stocks The father of the Syrian president, Ahmad al-Sha'ra threatens Israel: Do not test the patience of the Syrians.. this state has a people who will not be silent Officials reveal the reason behind Trump's threat to Oman Main All News Egypt External Affairs Middle East World Sports Local Sports World Sports Art Money and Business Business Citizen Accidents and Crimes Television Provinces Women M Technology Science Youth and Education 9 Street Rostom Health Universities Colors of Life Pets Travel and Outing History Cars Culture Services Contact Us Terms of Use About the site Message Service

- Published Three members of the same family have died after getting into difficulty in the water off Shoreham-by-Sea. Sussex Police said three people - a man, a woman, and a teenage girl - had died, while a younger girl from the same family was in hospital in a critical condition. Emergency services were called around 14:40 BST on Tuesday to reports of four people in difficulty in the sea close to Shoreham Port, the police said. Witnesses described seeing large numbers of emergency vehicles and helicopters arriving at the seafront as coastguard crews, RNLI lifeboats, air ambulances, police officers and ambulance crews responded. 'Family had gone swimming' Ch Supt James Collis said relatives had been informed and were being supported by specialist officers. "At this point, we believe all four entered the water from the land for a swim, and sadly got into difficulty," he said. Coastguards have completed an extensive search of the water and are not searching for anyone else, he said. He said the incident had had a profound effect on the local community. Appealing for witnesses, he said inquiries were ongoing to understand the full details. A spokesperson for Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex said both of its helicopters and critical care team had been sent to the scene as part of the response, and Shoreham RNLI said its lifeboat had been called out. South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) said it had been called to "reports of four people in need of medical attention". A section of the A259 – a main commuter road which runs through Brighton, Shoreham and Worthing – was closed. BBC reporter Callum French said despite warm weather, sea conditions had been "pretty rough" because of high winds, describing the response as "the biggest turnout [of emergency services] I have seen". Witnesses described seeing large numbers of emergency vehicles and helicopters arriving at the seafront. Resident Shirley Pumfrey said: "I have never seen them do that. The whole road was just full of emergency services. "It was horrific and quite scary to see that many." Steve Chapman, who lives opposite the beach, said he could not get into his road because it was cordoned off. "There were all sorts of rumours flying around, it was very upsetting," he said. Another resident, Pete Book, said he had been walking home from the pub when he saw ambulances, coastguard crews and helicopters converging on the area. Shelley Ayres, who also lives opposite the beach at Shoreham, said: "The sea has been very calm for months and months, but today it has got a lot rougher." Tom Rutland, East Worthing and Shoreham MP, earlier urged people to stay away from the area while emergency services dealt with the incident. After news emerged of the deaths, he said his thoughts were with the family and friends of those who had died and he added: "I know the whole community here in Shoreham will be hoping and praying for the recovery of the young girl, external receiving medical treatment in hospital." Shoreham Port said it was working with multiple agencies and also urged the public to avoid the area. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, external, X, external, and Instagram, external and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to [email protected], external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

- Published Three members of the same family who died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham have been named by police. Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter Sara El-Khawas are thought to have gone into the water near Shoreham Fort on Tuesday, Sussex Police said. A younger girl from the same family, who was pulled from the water with them, remains in hospital in a critical condition. Police said the family had travelled from their London home to visit Shoreham and after reviewing CCTV footage investigators say they believe the deaths were a tragic accident with no third-party involvement. The Palestinian Forum said the family were British citizens of Palestinian origin, with roots in the Rashidieh refugee camp in Lebanon. Earlier, the Palestinian embassy in London told the BBC that Hassan El-Khawas had been a refugee. Adnan Hmidan, chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, said the community was "deeply shocked and saddened" by what had happened. He said two other children were on the shore at the time of the incident. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family, particularly the children, who are facing an unimaginable loss," he said. The Palestinian Embassy in London said it was closely monitoring the incident and contacting British authorities to establish the circumstances and check on the condition of the girl in hospital. A statement issued by the embassy sent condolences to the family and the UK's Palestinian community and wished the girl a speedy recovery. Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned of the dangers of open water swimming after the incident, which he described as "a terrible family tragedy". "The thing I can say today – and there is still, I think, a further heatwave to come in this summer period – it is just to remind people about the dangers of open water swimming," he said. "The coldness, even when it feels hot outside, it can shock people and that can cause the difficulties. So people just need to remember that at all times. "I do need to praise the emergency services who I know were on scene very quickly yesterday. They've had a busy summer but they were there and we thank them." Ch Supt James Collis, of Sussex Police, said: "The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community." Emergency services were called shortly before 15:00 BST on Tuesday to reports of four people in trouble in the water near Shoreham. Coastguard crews, RNLI lifeboats, air ambulances, police officers and ambulance teams were involved in the response. After learning that three people in the same family had died, local shop owner Neha Patel said she was "still shaking" at what had happened. "I think it's a shock to everyone around here," she said. "I hope the one girl in the hospital gets better." Throughout the day people laid floral tributes near the beach where the tragedy unfolded. Friends Liz Donnelly and Lee Smith, who were among them, described the family's deaths as "a real shock to such a small town". Smith said: "Our kids were here the night before. It makes you realise how thankful we are that it wasn't one of them, but at the same time the sadness of another family that are now going to go through this." The Good Shepherd church, close to the beach, opened its doors for reflection and prayer. The Rev Jane Bartlett, associate vicar, said the church wanted to support the community "in whatever way we can". Adur District Council chair, Julia Watts, said: "We obviously don't know the circumstances of how they got into difficulty but the sea will never be completely safe. "Many of us swim every day weather permitting and for people to lose their lives on a warm day in August seems unfathomable." Robina Baine, also an Adur councillor for the Southwick Green ward where the RNLI lifeboat station is, said: "I have been here for 46 years and this is the most tragic incident there has been." Police inquiries are continuing and a file is being prepared for the coroner. The deaths are among a number of fatal incidents on the coast in recent months, including several in Sussex. In May, three sisters, Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, died in the sea off Brighton, in what police described as a "tragic incident". In July, two men were pulled from the sea at West Wittering, and one of the men was confirmed dead at the scene, while the other was taken to hospital. This month, an 18-year-old man died after getting into difficulty in the sea at Camber Sands. He had travelled to the coast from London with friends. In Essex, Shelina Rahman, 41, and her 15-year-old daughter Sameeha Rahman, died after getting into difficulty in the water on the Essex coast at West Mersea, where they were trying to help a seven-year-old boy. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, external, X, external, and Instagram, external and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to [email protected], external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

- Published A school attended by a 14-year-old girl who died alongside her father and mother after getting into difficulty in water off the coast of Shoreham-by-Sea has paid tribute to her. Sara El-Khawas and her parents Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, are believed to have gone into the water near Shoreham Fort in West Sussex on Tuesday, according to Sussex Police. In a statement on its website, the Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing, west London, described Sara as a "sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students". A fourth member of the family, a younger girl, remains in hospital in a critical condition. Head teacher Rachel Kruger said: "We are deeply saddened by this, and our thoughts are with her family, friends and all those affected. "Our focus is now on supporting staff and students who have been affected by this." Further floral tributes have been left near Kingston Beach in Shoreham on Thursday morning. The Palestinian Forum said that the family were British citizens of Palestinian origin, with roots in the Rashidieh refugee camp in Lebanon. Earlier, the Palestinian embassy in London told the BBC that Hassan El-Khawas had been a refugee. The family are believed have travelled to Shoreham from London on the same day of the incident, which is believed to be a tragic accident with no third-party involvement, police said. Speaking on BBC Radio Sussex, Deputy Chief Constable Paul Court called the incident "utterly, utterly tragic", and praised the work of Sussex Police officers and other emergency services, adding that the response was "really professionally managed". Asked about two other children, who a spokesperson for the Palestinian Forum in Britain said were on the shore at the time of the incident, Court said: "We shouldn't forget that as part of that investigation we have to break the bad news to those families, and that is utterly traumatic for those families to receive that news, and for those who have to break it to them." Those children are now being looked after by an uncle, according to the Palestinian Forum in Britain. Taher Aziz, of the Adur Muslim Centre, also said that the community was "shocked to learn of the loss of three members of a family, and the critical condition of the surviving young girl", adding: "We will be praying for the deceased and for the swift recovery of the young girl in hospital." On Wednesday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned of the dangers of open water swimming after the incident, which he described as "a terrible family tragedy". Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, external, X, external, and on Instagram, external and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to [email protected], external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

- Published A six-year-old girl has died in hospital after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham in West Sussex, in an incident which also killed her father, mother and sister. Saja El-Khawas, a British Palestinian from London, was pulled from the sea by emergency crews on Tuesday. Her father Hassan El-Khawas, 55, mother Zeina Alayn, 37, and 14-year-old sister Sara, died despite the efforts of paramedics at the scene. Emergency services were called to the sea off Shoreham Fort at about 14:40 BST on Tuesday to a report of four people in difficulty in the water. The incident took place at Kingston Beach, a short distance from Shoreham Port. Shoreham-by-Sea is about a 6.3 mile (10.1km) drive away from Brighton. In a statement, Sussex Police said the family had travelled down from their home in London to visit Shoreham that day. The force said the family had entered the water from the beach at Shoreham Fort about 14:00 before getting into trouble. A significant emergency service response followed including HM Coastguard, the RNLI and South East Coast Ambulance Service and Sussex Police. "The investigation into the incident remains open, but following review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, the current hypothesis is that this was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement," a police spokesperson said. They added that a file would be prepared for the coroner ahead of an inquest. Ch Supt James Collis said: "This heartbreaking update is one we all feared in the aftermath of Tuesday's tragic events. "The impact of this tragedy has been felt across the country, and I know the Shoreham community, emergency responders and all involved will continue to be affected for a long time to come. "I would like to thank all of the public who have shared their sympathies and kind words." The family lived in London and were British citizens of Palestinian origin, with roots in the Rashidieh refugee camp in Lebanon. Their extended family had lived in the UK for many years, the Palestinian Forum says. Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the incident a "terrible family tragedy". People in Shoreham left floral tributes at the scene and said the community was devastated. The Beach Residents' Association said the incident had "sent shockwaves across the local community". Local councillor Joss Loader, who represents the Shoreham Beach Residents' Association and has lived in the area most of her life, described the deaths as a "shocking, heart-rending tragedy". Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, external, X, external, and on Instagram, external and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to [email protected], external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

A girl is fighting for her life in hospital after three of her family members died after they went into the sea off Shoreham. There was a huge emergency service response to the incident yesterday afternoon, when police were told four people had got into difficulty in the water. It is thought the four family members went into the sea for a swim. Sussex Police confirmed on Tuesday night that a man, a woman and a teenage girl had died, while a younger girl from the family was in a critical condition in hospital. Officers have not named the victims but said their next of kin had been informed and were being supported by specialist officers. Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “At around 2.40pm this afternoon, emergency services were called to reports of four people in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort. “Sussex Police officers supported His Majesty’s Coastguard and the RNLI, as all four people were brought ashore. “Tragically, despite the best efforts of paramedics, three people – a man, woman and teenage girl – have sadly been confirmed deceased. “A younger girl has been taken to hospital and is in a critical condition.” A resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Telegraph: “I heard from friends in the coastguard that it was a family who had been living in tents by the harbour front. “They were camping just between the harbour arm and the fort. They have been there for a couple weeks, I’ve walked my dog past them. People don’t usually camp there.” Alan Facer, a fisherman from Hove, told the newspaper: “The wind earlier was south-westerly so usually the waves pick up quite a bit. “At 3pm, the tide would have been quite high. “I was thinking the other day that someone is going to get hurt around here.” The RNLI’s Shoreham lifeboat station is just across the mouth of the River Adur from Shoreham Fort. The 41-year-old added: “Maybe with the lifeboats nearby they feel safe.” Joss Loader, who lives nearby and represents Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association on Adur District Council, said: “There’s just a really strong sense of shock, obviously people are really concerned for the young girl. “A small tightly knit community with a very deep sense of shock and that sense of disbelief you get after a tragedy because it has come out of nowhere.” Shoreham Beach is a spit of land with water on three sides from the River Adur, the estuary and the sea, and Ms Loader said the “tragic events” happened in the estuary. “It’s school holidays and we have had a wonderful summer so the beaches have been packed with families,” she said. “The weather was quite calm, not as hot as recent days but it was a perfectly normal day. “People swim from those beaches even in the winter, generally it is considered as safe as the sea can be. You wouldn’t be swimming there and think you were taking a risk.” Ms Loader said she has reminded people not to speculate and to allow emergency services to investigate before an inquest is held. Several ambulances were at the scene on Tuesday, as well as two air ambulances, an HM Coastguard helicopter and rescue teams from Littlehampton, Newhaven and Shoreham and the RNLI lifeboat. Police said the coastguard has searched the water and is not looking for anyone else. East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tom Rutland said the community in Shoreham “will be hoping and praying for the recovery of the young girl”. In a statement on Facebook, he wrote: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic news that three people have died following an incident in the water near Shoreham Fort this afternoon. “My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives, and I know the whole community here in Shoreham will be hoping and praying for the recovery of the young girl receiving medical treatment in hospital.”

Tragic Beach Accident Claims Lives of Palestinian-British Family A six-year-old Palestinian-British girl has died after her parents and sister drowned off the southern coast of England. The family from London encountered difficulties while swimming at Shoreham beach. The incident is considered a tragic accident with no third-party involvement, according to Sussex police. A six-year-old Palestinian-British girl, Saja El-Khawas, tragically succumbed to injuries sustained in a beach accident that claimed the lives of her parents and sister earlier this week. Sussex police confirmed her death on Friday. The family, who traveled from London to Shoreham, became distressed in the waters off the southern coast of England on Tuesday. Despite rescue efforts, her father, Hassan El-Khawas, 55; mother, Zeina Alayn, 37; and sister, Sara El-Khawas, 14; were pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators believe the incident was a 'tragic accident, with no third-party involvement.' According to reports by The Daily Telegraph and the Palestinian embassy, the family originally hailed from the Rashidieh refugee camp in southern Lebanon. (With inputs from agencies.)

Six-Year-Old Girl Dies After Family Drowns Off English Coast in Shoreham Tragic Drowning Incident Involving Palestinian-British Family Details of the Incident Aug 21 (Reuters) - A six-year-old Palestinian-British girl, whose parents and sister died earlier this week after getting into difficulty in the sea off the southern coast of England, has also died in hospital, Sussex police said on Friday. Victims Identified Saja El-Khawas was taken to hospital in critical condition on Tuesday after her father Hassan El-Khawas, 55, her mother, Zeina Alayn, 37, and her 14-year-old sister, Sara El-Khawas, died at the scene. Timeline and Location The family had travelled from their home in London to visit Shoreham and entered the water from the beach on Tuesday afternoon before getting into trouble, the police said. Investigation and Background Ongoing Investigation An investigation remains open, although the current theory is that it was a "tragic accident, with no third-party involvement", the police said. Family Background The Daily Telegraph newspaper had reported on Tuesday, citing the Palestinian embassy, that the family was originally from the Rashidieh refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Reporting Credits (Reporting by Natalia Bueno Rebolledo in Mexico City; Editing by Chris Reese)

The Palestinian community in the United Kingdom has lost an entire family in a tragic drowning accident that occurred off the southern coasts of England. Sussex Police officially announced the death of six-year-old Saja Al-Khawas in hospital after days in critical condition under intensive medical care, bringing to an end any chance of her survival following the loss of the rest of her family in the same incident. Details trace back to last Tuesday, when the family was spending time at Shawham-by-Sea Beach. The family members encountered sudden difficulties in the water, leading to the deaths of father Hassan Al-Khawas (55), mother Zina Alian (37), and eldest daughter Sara (14) at the scene before rescuers arrived. Media sources, citing the Palestinian Embassy, said the family traces its roots to the Rashidiyeh refugee camp for Palestinians in southern Lebanon. The family had moved to live in London, the capital of Britain, and they had traveled from their home there to visit the southern coastal areas, before their journey turned into a tragedy that shook refugee and Palestinian communities in the diaspora. Sussex Police confirmed that investigations into the drowning remain open to ensure all legal and technical aspects are addressed. However, investigators indicated that the current hypothesis favors an accidental, tragic incident due to maritime conditions, ruling out any criminal suspicion or interference by external parties in the occurrence of this catastrophe that claimed four lives. A deep mood of sorrow pervades the Rashidiyeh camp in Lebanon and among Palestinians in Britain following confirmation of the death of the girl Saja. Palestinian diplomatic authorities continue to coordinate with British authorities regarding burial procedures and final investigations, amid broad solidarity with the victims’ families who are facing a communal loss of a family that sought a safe life away from refugee status.

Girl, 6, dies in hospital days after three members of her Palestinian family tragically drowned near Shoreham A six-year-old girl has died after being pulled from the sea near Shoreham in a tragedy that also claimed the lives of three members of her family. Listen to this article Saja El-Khawas, six, has died in hospital after she was pulled from the sea at Shoreham on Tuesday alongside three of her family members who also died, according to a law firm acting for the hospital and the Palestinian Forum in Britain. Saja's father, Palestinian refugee Hossam Al-Khawas, 55, is thought to have gone into the water to swim with three other family members - understood to be his wife Zeina Alyan, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter Sarah El-Khawas - when they got into trouble off the Sussex coast on Tuesday afternoon. Hossam was reportedly from the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon. He, Zeina and Sarah lost their lives on Tuesday - before Saja was taken to hospital while in a critical condition. After a three-day fight for life, she was confirmed to have died on Friday evening. Emergency services were called to the scene at 3pm on Tuesday afternoon, after reports of four members of the same family getting into difficulty in the sea. Read More: Owl's well that ends well! Sailing crew rescue exhausted owl lost at sea 70 miles from shore Sussex Police's Chief Superintendent James Collis confirmed that a man, a woman, and a teenage girl had lost their lives on Tuesday. Collis said the family's next of kin have been informed, and that they had entered the water from land for a swim and "sadly got into difficulty". The senior officer added: "Our thoughts are with the friends and family. I know this incident will have a profound effect on the community." The response was sparked after fishermen spotted the family struggling in the water. Sussex Police urged people to stay away from the area near Shoreham Fort after the tragedy. The popular beach is just a 20-minute walk from Brighton. Two air ambulances were seen close to the RNLI station in the holiday hotspot - alongside multiple road ambulances. A section of the A259 in Shoreham was also closed due to the emergency response. Earlier, a spokesman for HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard responded to an incident reported at Shoreham at about 2.45pm on 18 August.“ An HM Coastguard helicopter was sent, as well as Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Teams, and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham.

A couple and their teenage daughter have died after getting into difficulty off the Sussex coast. Multiple ambulances and two air ambulances were seen in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, near the RNLI station on Tuesday afternoon. Sussex Police confirmed emergency services were responding to four people getting into difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort. The force believe the family entered the water from land for a swim. Speaking to reporters, Chief Superintendent James Collis said a man, a woman and a teenage girl died, while a younger girl from the same family is in a critical condition in hospital. He said: “Around 2.40 pm this afternoon, emergency services were called to reports of four people in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort. “Sussex Police supported His Majesty’s Coast Guard and the RNLI as all four people were brought to shore. “Tragically, despite the best efforts of paramedics, three people – a man, a woman, and a teenage girl – were sadly confirmed deceased. “A younger girl has been taken to hospital and is in critical condition. We can confirm all four people were from the same family, and their next of kin have been informed.” Specialist officers are supporting the family’s next of kin. Following the incident, the A259 Brighton Road was blocked in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane. A HM Coastguard helicopter was sent along with rescue teams from Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham. Anyone with information or video footage about the incident has been asked to contact Sussex Police online or via 101, quoting Operation North. East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tom Rutland said in a statement on Facebook: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic news that three people have died following an incident in the water near Shoreham Fort this afternoon,” he wrote k. “I spoke earlier with Sussex Police and Shoreham RNLI and have been briefed on the response by the emergency services. “My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives, and I know the whole community here in Shoreham will be hoping and praying for the recovery of the young girl receiving medical treatment in hospital.”

!Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just £149.99 £74.99/Year Claim Now No, thanks Try GOLD - Free We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more about our privacy policy Agree Family feared drowned in sea Scottish Daily Express | August 19, 2026 THREE members of the same family were feared drowned last night after reports of four people struggling in the sea. - BY REBECCA ROBINSON !Family feared drowned in sea The condition of the fourth person, pulled from the water at Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, was unknown. Nearby fishermen reportedly said they alerted emergency services after seeing a young girl in the water, then a boy, a woman and a man. They were thought to be a family. !Magzter Gold Title This story is from the August 19, 2026 edition of Scottish Daily Express. Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers. SUBSCRIBE NOW Already a subscriber? Sign In MORE STORIES FROM Scottish Daily Express View All Scottish Daily Express Frances Millar To be frank... THE SCOURGE of the skeletal celebrity is hardly new. In the last century, royal disrupter Wallis Simpson, the original Meghan, quipped you could never be too rich or too thin. Scottish Daily Express United make improved offer to Ferry DUNDEE UNITED have offered Will Ferry an improved contract in a bid to retain the Republic of Ireland international. Scottish Daily Express Stop making excuses and get more police on streets DISCLOSURES surrounding Glasgow ought to serve as a sharp wake-up call for Scottish Government Ministers. Scottish Daily Express Paving the way to a karma revenge WOULD you report neighbours to the council? Me neither. Unless there are criminal implications, I mind my own. Scottish Daily Express Third book for fishing dog Ted A THIRD book about Ted the dog from Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing will be released next month following his death in April. Hindi(हिंदी) English Malayalam(മലയാളം) Spanish(español) Turkish(Turk) Tamil(தமிழ்) Bengali(বাংলা) Gujarati(ગુજરાતી) Kannada(ಕನ್ನಡ) Telugu(తెలుగు) Marathi(मराठी) Odia(ଓଡ଼ିଆ) Punjabi(ਪੰਜਾਬੀ) Spanish(español) Afrikaans French(français) Portuguese(português) Chinese - Simplified(中文) Russian(русский) Italian(italiano) German(Deutsch) Japanese(日本人) Unlock the Listening Feature Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to unlock the premium listening feature Subscribe Now Listen Unlock the Translation Feature Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to unlock the premium translation feature Subscribe Now Translate Share Facebook Twitter Email whatsapp Pinterest Link - + Change font size

A Palestinian-British Family dies in a 'tragic' accident off the English coast The?couple of Palestinians and Britishers, along with their daughter, died on Tuesday in the sea off?the southern coast?of England. A second daughter is in critical condition. Police identified the victims as Hassan El-Khawas (55), his?partner Zeina Al-Alayn (37), and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas. In a post expressing condolences on X, the Palestinian embassy in London referred to?the family in question as Palestinian-British. The embassy made a separate announcement to the Daily Telegraph, stating that the family is originally from the Rashidieh Refugee Camp in southern Lebanon. The embassy did not respond immediately to a request for confirmation. The embassy?did not immediately respond to a? The police said that they believed that the family had travelled from London to Shoreham-by-Sea and that investigators' current theory is that the deaths were a tragic accident with no involvement by third parties. (Reporting and editing by William James; Sam Tabahriti) (source: Reuters)

Saja El-Khawas, six, has died in hospital after she was pulled from the sea at Shoreham on Tuesday. She was pulled out of the water alongside three of her family members who also died. Saja had been in hospital in a critical condition after the deaths of Sara El-Khawas, 14, and her parents Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, on Tuesday afternoon in Shoreham-by-Sea. Her death has been confirmed via a legal notice from solicitors acting on behalf of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, as well as by the Palestinian Forum in Britain. The Palestinian embassy previously said Mr El-Khawas was a Palestinian refugee from the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon. Sign up for all of the latest stories It is believed the family travelled from their home in London to visit Shoreham and entered the water from the beach near Shoreham Fort at around 2pm before they got into difficulty. Due to strong currents, Sarah became caught in a fishing net. Her father tried to flee her, prompting her mother to enter the water when he, too, started struggling. She was followed by Saja. The PFB explained earlier this week that, sadly, the conditions proved ‘overwhelming’, leading to their deaths. A huge emergency response was triggered by the incident, with several ambulances and two air ambulances sent to the scene. An HM Coastguard helicopter and rescue teams from nearby Littlehampton, Newhaven and Shoreham, as well as the RNLI lifeboat, also attended. Witnesses described ‘mayhem’ unfolding as they heard the sirens and saw responders flocking to the beach. Local woman Anna Peacock, 81, who lives near Kingston Beach across the water, explained that conditions appeared choppy. ‘It was terribly sad to know that just across the road people have lost their lives,’ she said. ‘People come down to swim, particularly in the summertime, and I don’t think they realise there’s a riptide along here. ‘It’s very inviting to come to the sea, but the tide could carry you out in seconds, and I don’t think people have realised that.’ On Wednesday, Sussex Police said their investigation remains open, but after a review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, it is currently thought the deaths were a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement. Chief Superintendent James Collis said: ‘The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community.’ Yesterday, Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls, which Sara attended, posted a tribute on its website. The school in Ealing said of the Year 8 pupil: ‘Sara was a sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students, and she will be greatly missed. ‘Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and all those affected. ‘This news will be deeply upsetting for many students, families and staff.’ Adnan Hmidan, chairman of the PFB, had also previously said the community was ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by the deaths. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family, particularly the children, who are facing an unimaginable loss,’ he said. The community had been praying for Saja’s recovery. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has further stressed the dangers of open-water swimming in light of the ‘terrible family tragedy’. Asked on a visit to the North East whether the government needed to do more on water safety, he replied: ‘Always.’ ‘The thing I can say today – and there is still, I think, a further heatwave to come in this summer period – is just to remind people about the dangers of open water swimming,’ Burnham continued. ‘The coldness, even when it feels hot outside, it can shock people, and that can cause the difficulties. So people just need to remember that at all times.’ Sending ‘best wishes and love’ to the wider family as they grieve, he praised the emergency services for how quickly they arrived on-scene. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected]. For more stories like this, check our news page.

3 Family Members Die, Including Teen Girl, After Getting into Difficulty While Swimming in the Ocean A younger girl is in critical condition after the incident, which occurred off the U.K.’s southern coast on Tuesday, Aug. 18 By Adam England Adam England Adam England is a Writer-Reporter covering Mornings for PEOPLE. He first joined the brand in 2022. People Editorial Guidelines Published on August 19, 2026 06:27AM EDT 1 Comment !A beach scene with people a helicopter landing nearby and a building in the background:max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\):focal\(749x0:751x2\):format\(webp\)/Shoreham-by-Sea-2-081926-6c523bb75bd6498bab8ca9153dd343e2.jpg) Air ambulances are seen on the beach in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex in England on Aug. 18, 2026. Credit : Jamie Lashmar/PA via Alamy NEED TO KNOW Three members of the same family have died, and another is in the hospital, after they got into difficulty while swimming in the ocean off the U.K. coast Numerous emergency crews responded to the incident off Shoreham-by-Sea in southern England at around 2:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Aug. 18 A 55-year-old man, his 37-year-old partner and a 14-year-old girl all died, while a younger girl is in critical condition Three members of the same family have died, and another is in the hospital, after they got into difficulty while swimming in the ocean off the coast of the U.K. Emergency services were called to reports of four people in difficulty in the water off Shoreham-by-Sea — a beach town in the south of England, which is around 80 miles south of London — at about 2:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Aug. 18, according to a Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner, Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas, were all confirmed dead at the scene, police said in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Wednesday, Aug. 19. A fourth family member, a younger girl, remains in the hospital in critical condition. An air ambulance is seen landing on the beach in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex in England on Aug. 18, 2026. Jamie Lashmar/PA via Alamy Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Their loved ones have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Inquiries are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the tragedy, but police believe the family had traveled to Shoreham from their home in London and entered the water at about 2 p.m. local time that afternoon to swim. Following a review of CCTV footage and witness accounts, police said the incident was currently being treated as “a tragic accident,” with no third-party involvement. Chief Superintendent James Collis described the incident as a “heartbreaking tragedy” that had “devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community.” He also thanked first responders for their “determined attempts” to save all four people. A hearing into the deaths is set to follow, and anyone with information or video footage that could help the police has been asked to get in touch. Related Stories 3 Sisters Whose Bodies Were Found in Ocean at Tourist Beach ‘Never Recovered’ from Their Mother’s Drowning, Family Says Father and Daughter Drown at Beach During Family Vacation After He Tried to Save Her Life Witnesses recalled seeing numerous emergency vehicles and helicopters, including coastguard crews, Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats, air ambulances, ambulance crews and police officers, the Fiona Stephens and Jen Ashworth, the managers of a local bar, told the “It’s an absolute tragedy for their family, it’s horrendous,” Ashworth said, as Stephens added to the outlet, “I really don’t think there’s any words.” Close Leave a Comment Read More: Human Interest Real People Real People Tragedy Trending Now 7 Dead, Including 2 Children, After Bus Carrying People to Engagement Party Blows a Tire and Overturns Human Interest 3 days ago Father of 4 Dies Rescuing Young Girl He Didn’t Know from Rip Current: ‘Truly Heartbroken,’ Daughter Says Human Interest August 10, 2026 31-Year-Old Mom of 3 Drowns After Jumping into Illinois River to Try and Save Her 7-Year-Old Son Human Interest 1 day ago Comments All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. PEOPLE does not endorse the opinions and views shared by readers in our comment sections. Account Settings Sign Out Related Articles 5 Teens Killed, 3-Year-Old Injured as Car Driven the Wrong Way on Freeway Causes ‘Head-On Collision’ By Escher Walcott 2-Year-Old Girl and Her Brother, 3, Die in Texas RV Fire After Getting Trapped in Collapsing Camper By Gina Kalsi 7 Dead After Tourist Helicopter Crashes Near Mountain By Adam England New Jersey Mom Died After Running into Collapsed Building to Rescue Daughter Following Colombia Earthquake By Adam England 16-Year-Old Girl Dies After Falling Nearly 30 Feet Through Roof of Abandoned Condo Building By Bailey Richards College Student Dies, Driver Escapes After Car Plunges Off Scenic Cliff and into Ocean By Sam Gillette Teen Cheerleader, 16, Dies in ‘Terrible Accident’ on Family Vacation While Awaiting Her High School Exam Results By Gina Kalsi Missing Hiker Found Dead After Falling from Cliff During Challenging Trek Through the Sierra Nevada Mountains By Sam Gillette Body Found in Search for Teen Who Disappeared Near Dracula’s Castle More Than 8 Months After He Vanished By Adam England and Desiree Anello 5 Teen Boys Die After Car Plunges Off ‘Steep’ Cliff in Colorado, Ejecting 2 from Vehicle By Sam Gillette 18 ‘Inseparable’ Best Friends, Ages 16 and 17, Die in Multi-Vehicle Calif. Car Crash After Starting Senior Year Together By Gina Kalsi Teen Breaks Neck on Last Day of Lifeguarding Internship After Hitting Head on Ocean Floor By David Chiu 71-Year-Old Man Drowns While Trying to Retrieve His Hat at Infamous Lake Where Over 230 People Have Died By Escher Walcott Teen Drowned at N.Y.C. Beach After Telling Lifeguards to Save His Best Friend First, His Mom Says By Adam England Texas EMS Worker’s Wife and 2 Sons Die as Fire Engulfs RV Home While He Is on Duty By Sam Gillette Mother and Her 3 Young Children Die in Oregon RV Fire as 1 Family Member Escapes with Minor Injuries By Gina Kalsi Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up We Care About Your Privacy We and our 100 partners store and/or access information on a device, such as unique IDs in cookies to process personal data. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to provide: Store and/or access information on a device. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners (vendors) Accept All Reject All Show Purposes

Girl, 6, dies in hospital after her family lost their lives in Shoreham sea tragedy Saja El-Khawas, six, had been in critical condition after she was pulled from the sea at Shoreham, West Sussex, on Tuesday and died on Friday in hospital. Sara El-Khawas, 14, died at the scene alongside her parents, Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37. Saturday 22 August 2026 05:10, UK A girl, whose three family members lost their lives after getting into difficulty in waters off the Sussex coast, has also died. Saja El-Khawas, six, had been in critical condition after she was pulled from the sea at Shoreham on Tuesday and died in hospital on Friday. Sara El-Khawas, 14, died at the scene alongside her parents, Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, during a trip to West Sussex. The Palestinian embassy confirmed Mr El-Khawas was a Palestinian refugee from the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon. It is believed the family travelled from their home in west London to visit Shoreham and entered the water from the beach at around 2pm to go for a swim. Emergency services were called to the sea off Shoreham Fort at around 2.40pm to a report of four people in difficulty in the water. Several ambulances, two air ambulances, an HM Coastguard helicopter, an RNLI lifeboat, and rescue teams were all part of a major response at the scene, where the four were recovered from the water. On Wednesday, Sussex Police said their investigation remains open, but after a review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, it is currently thought the deaths were a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement. Read more from Sky News: Murder probe under way after human remains found in woodland Ex-rugby players win bid to carry on lawsuits over brain injuries Chief Superintendent James Collis said: "The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community." Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls posted a tribute to Year 8 student Sara following the "tragic incident". The school, in the London borough of Ealing, said: "Sara was a sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students and she will be greatly missed. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and all those affected. "This news will be deeply upsetting for many students, families and staff." The Palestinian embassy, in a statement on Facebook, said it was "closely monitoring the incident". Adnan Hmidan, chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, paid tribute to the family, although his spelling of their name differed from that used by Sussex Police. He said: "The Palestinian, Arab and wider community in Britain, along with the many friends and supporters of our community, have been deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic incident involving the Khawwas family during a day trip off the coast of Sussex." Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned of the dangers of open water swimming after the incident, which he described as "a terrible family tragedy".

A father, mother and their teenage daughter who died off the Sussex coast on Tuesday have been identified. Sussex police named the victims as Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner, Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas. A younger girl who was also part of the family is in hospital in a critical condition. She has not been named. The Palestinian embassy in London said El-Khawas was a British man of Palestinian descent. Police, paramedics, coastguard crews and a lifeboat attended the scene at Shoreham-by-Sea, where four people were pulled from the water. Sussex police said the cause of the tragedy was still being investigated. It could not confirm reports that the older girl got caught in a fishing net. The force said in a statement: “Following review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, the current hypothesis is that this was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement.” Adnan Hmidan, the chair of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, said: “According to the information available to us, the family encountered strong currents while at sea. Their daughter, Sara, became caught in a fishing net and her father attempted to help free her. “As the waves and currents intensified, her mother, Zeina, also entered the water to try to save them, followed by their younger daughter.” Two other children from the family were in the care of their paternal uncle, he said. “The Khawas family are British citizens of Palestinian origin, with roots in Rashidieh refugee camp in Lebanon,” he said. “Like many Palestinian families, members of their extended family have lived in Britain for many years and have built a strong and close-knit community here. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family, particularly the children, who are facing an unimaginable loss. We ask everyone to respect their privacy and dignity at this painful time.” Andy Burnham said the incident was “a terrible family tragedy” and a reminder of the dangers of open water swimming. There was a huge emergency service response to the incident on Tuesday afternoon, when police were told four people had got into difficulty in the water. Sussex police said they believed all four entered the water to swim. Ch Supt James Collis confirmed that a man, woman and a teenage girl had died at the scene. Asked if the government needed to do more on water safety, Burnham said: “Always. It’s so sad to hear what happened yesterday, and obviously we think there’s a young girl still in the hospital fighting for her life, and we send our best wishes and love to wider friends and family. But a real tragedy, a real terrible family tragedy.” Speaking on a visit to north-east England, Burnham added: “Obviously, we will look in detail at what happened. The thing I can say today, and there is still, I think, a further heatwave to come in this summer period, it is just to remind people about the dangers of open-water swimming. The coldness, even when it feels hot outside, it can shock people, and that can cause the difficulties. So people just need to remember that at all times.” Two air ambulance helicopters and a critical care team were sent to the scene and Shoreham RNLI said its lifeboat had been called out at 3pm. Burnham paid tribute to those who tried to save the family. “I do need to praise the emergency services, who I know were on scene very quickly yesterday. They’ve had a busy summer, but they were there, and we thank them. As I say, just huge sympathy to the friends and the family,” he said. There have been a series of water-related deaths across the country in a summer of record-breaking heat. On Saturday, a 12-year-old boy drowned in the River Lea, near Hackney Marshes in north-east London. In April, a woman and her young child died after getting into difficulty in the water in west London. Both died at the scene in Elthorne Park, Ealing, the Metropolitan police said. There have been at least 35 drowning deaths, including eight in July, according to a study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Joss Loader, the chair of Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association, said: “There’s just a really strong sense of shock, obviously people are really concerned for the young girl. A small, tightly knit community with a very deep sense of shock and that sense of disbelief you get after a tragedy because it has come out of nowhere.” Shoreham beach is a spit of land with water on three sides from the River Adur, the estuary and the sea, and Loader said she understood the “tragic events” had happened in the estuary. “It’s school holidays and we have had a wonderful summer so the beaches have been packed with families,” she said. “People swim from those beaches even in the winter, generally it is considered as safe as the sea can be. You wouldn’t be swimming there and think you were taking a risk.” Anna Peacock, 81, who lives near Kingston beach across the water from Shoreham Fort, said emergency services were on the scene very quickly. “People come down to swim, particularly in the summertime and I don’t think they realise there’s a riptide along here,” she said. “It’s very inviting to come to the sea, but the tide could carry you out in seconds, and I don’t think people have realised that.”

A six-year-old girl has died in hospital three days after being pulled from the sea off Shoreham in West Sussex, in an incident that also killed her mother, father and sister. Saja El-Khawas died on Friday after the deaths of her sister Sara El-Khawas, 14, and her parents Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, on Tuesday. Saja had been in hospital in a critical condition since the incident. Police, paramedics, coastguard crews and a lifeboat attended the scene at Shoreham Fort early on Tuesday afternoon after a report of four people in difficulty in the water. In a statement, Sussex police said: “It is understood the family travelled down from their home in London to visit Shoreham, and entered the water from the beach at Shoreham Fort around 2pm on Tuesday afternoon, before getting into trouble. “The investigation into the incident remains open, but following review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, the current hypothesis is that this was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement.” Her identity and death were confirmed in a legal notice from solicitors acting on behalf of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS foundation trust, as well as the Palestinian Forum in Britain. The Palestinian embassy previously confirmed her father was a British citizen of Palestinian descent. Sussex police said the family’s next of kin “are aware and continue to receive the full support of our officers during this unimaginably difficult time”. Ch Supt James Collis said: “This heartbreaking update is one we all feared in the aftermath of Tuesday’s tragic events. “I cannot imagine the devastation felt by the wider family of Hassan, Zeina, Sara and Saja after this loss. On behalf of everyone at Sussex police, I extend our thoughts and heartfelt condolences. “The impact of this tragedy has been felt across the country, and I know the Shoreham community, emergency responders and all involved will continue to be affected for a long time to come.” “I would like to thank all of the public who have shared their sympathies and kind words, and once again ask for the victims’ family and loved ones to be left to grieve in privacy.”

A couple and their teenage daughter who died after getting into difficulty off the Sussex coast were Palestinian refugees. Multiple ambulances and two air ambulances were called to Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex, near the RNLI station on Tuesday afternoon. The three victims have been named as Hossam Al-Khawas, his wife Zeina Alyan and daughter Sarah, by the Palestinian embassy. Shorts Their second daughter, Saja, remains in a critical condition. “I can say that the name of the father, who died, his name is Hossam Al-Khawas, and his wife, and a daughter, they are from Rashidieh camp, originally, in the south of Lebanon. They are Palestinian refugees … this is considered a national tragedy, losing three British Palestinians at such a time,” an embassy official told The Daily Telegraph. Sussex Police confirmed emergency services responded to four people who had got into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Fort. The family are understood to have entered the water for a swim before they “sadly got into difficulty”, Chief Superintendent James Collis, said on Tuesday evening. Collis added: “Tragically, despite the best efforts of paramedics, three people – a man, a woman and a teenage girl – were sadly confirmed deceased. “A younger girl has been taken to hospital and is in critical condition. We can confirm all four people were from the same family, and their next of kin have been informed.” Collis thanked the public for their patience and asked anyone with information or video footage of the incident to contact the police. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham sent his regards to the family and friends of those who died. “It’s so, so sad to hear what happened yesterday, and obviously we think there’s a young girl still in the hospital fighting for her life, and we send our best wishes and love to wider friends and family. But a real tragedy, a real terrible family tragedy,” he said. The Prime Minister also warned the public to be aware of swimming at sea at times of hot weather. “The coldness, even when it feels hot outside, it can shock people, and that can cause difficulties. So, people just need to remember that at all times,” he added. The A259 Brighton Road was blocked in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane on Tuesday afternoon due to the incident, with the public urged to stay clear of the area during the afternoon. An ambulance was seen leaving the scene under a police escort with blue lights flashing. Tom Rutland, the Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said he was “deeply saddened” by the “tragic” incident. Thanking the emergency services in a post on X, Rutland said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives, and I know the whole community here in Shoreham will be hoping and praying for the recovery of the young girl receiving medical treatment in hospital.” “A small section of the A259 around the area remains closed. I would urge members of the public to follow the advice and instructions of the emergency services,” he added. HM Coastguard said teams had searched the water and are not looking for anyone else. An RNLI spokesman said: “Shoreham RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard at approximately 3pm on Tuesday 18 August.” A HM Coastguard spokesman added: “HM Coastguard responded to an incident reported at Shoreham at about 2.45pm on 18 August. “An HM Coastguard helicopter was sent as well as Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Teams, and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham. “Sussex Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service also attended.” Anyone with information or video footage about the incident has been asked to contact Sussex Police online or via 101 and quote Operation North.

A school attended by a 14-year-old British-Palestinian girl who died alongside her parents after getting into trouble at sea in Shoreham has paid tribute to her. Sara El-Khawas, and her parents Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, are believed to have gone into the water near Shoreham Fort in East Sussex on Tuesday, prompting a major rescue operation. The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing, west London, wrote in a statement: “Sara was a sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students, and she will be greatly missed”. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and all those affected. We are also thinking of her sister and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.” Sussex Police have confirmed that a fourth member of the family, a young girl, remains in hospital in critical condition. The family are understood to have travelled from their home in London to visit Shoreham, on the south coast, entering the water from the beach at Shoreham Fort at around 2pm on Tuesday afternoon. An emergency response included action from HM Coastguard, the RNLI, Sout East Coast Ambulance Service and police. Several ambulances and two air ambulances were seen near the RNLI station on Tuesday afternoon. Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls head teacher Rachel Kruger said: “We are deeply saddened by this, and our thoughts are with her family, friends and all those affected. "Our focus is now on supporting staff and students who have been affected by this." The Palestinian Forum in Britiain (PFB) said that the group were British citizens of Palestinian origin. The Palestinian embassy in London has confirmed that Hassan El-Khawas had been a refugee in the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon. The PFB write that it “extends its deepest condolences to the family of Hossam El-Khawas, his wife and daughter, and to the Palestinian community in Britain, especially the people of Rashidieh Camp, Lebanon. “May Allah have mercy on them and grant strength and patience to their loved ones. We also pray for the swift recovery of their surviving daughter.” Andy Burnham called the deaths a “tragedy” as he issued a reminder about open water swimming during the heatwaves. The prime minister said on Wednesday: “The thing I can say today – and there is still, I think, a further heatwave to come in this summer period – is just to remind people about the dangers of open water swimming. “The coldness, even when it feels hot outside, it can shock people and that can cause the difficulties. So people just need to remember that at all times.” Shoreham-by-Sea, a coastal town outside of Brighton, is a popular destination for families looking to enjoy the beach and sea, especially during warmer spells. Joss Loader, who lives nearby and represents Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association on Adur District Council, said: “There’s just a really strong sense of shock; obviously people are really concerned for the young girl. “A small tightly knight community with a very deep sense of shock and that sense of disbelief you get after a tragedy because it has come out of nowhere.” She added: “People swim from those beaches even in the winter; generally it is considered as safe as the sea can be. You wouldn’t be swimming there and think you were taking a risk.”

Jump to content Sections UK Edition Subscribe now Log in Login icon Follow us on: More from The Telegraph Samuel Montgomery News Reporter Show biography !Samuel Montgomery Samuel covers a range of topics including crime, social affairs and politics. He has previously written for Private Eye, GB News, Tatler, British GQ and The Evening Standard Londoner’s Diary. He can be contacted at Updated 18 August 2026 9:29pm BST Published 18 August 2026 5:30pm BST Save This feature is available for registered users. Please register or log in to continue RegisterLog in Comment speech bubble icon 194 Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link Gift this article free Gift article Give full access to this article, free time. You have 15 articles left to gift, this month. Log in or Subscribe Copy link !The South East Coast Ambulance Service, the Coastguard and the RNLI all attended the scene The South East Coast Ambulance Service, the Coastguard and the RNLI all attended the scene Credit: EDDIE MITCHEL Samuel Montgomery News Reporter Show biography !Samuel Montgomery Samuel covers a range of topics including crime, social affairs and politics. He has previously written for Private Eye, GB News, Tatler, British GQ and The Evening Standard Londoner’s Diary. He can be contacted at Updated 18 August 2026 9:29pm BST Published 18 August 2026 5:30pm BST A couple and their teenage daughter have drowned after getting into difficulty in the water while swimming off the Sussex coast, police have confirmed. Emergency services were called to reports that four people were in difficulty off Shoreham-by-Sea on Tuesday afternoon. At a press conference on Tuesday evening, Sussex police said that the victims were a man, a woman and a teenage girl. The fourth person pulled from the water, a younger teenage girl, remains in a critical condition in hospital. Police have not yet named any of the victims. Speaking at the scene, Ch Supt James Collis said: “Our thoughts are with the friends and family. I know this incident will have a profound effect on the community.” Earlier on Tuesday, several ambulances and two air ambulances were seen by the waterfront at Shoreham Fort, a mid-19th-century structure at the harbour entrance. !air ambulances Two air ambulances landed on the waterfront in Shoreham-by-Sea after four people got into difficulty Credit: Eddie Mitchell South East Coast Ambulance Service, the Coastguard and the RNLI also attended the scene. A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Telegraph. “I heard from friends in the Coastguard that it was a family who had been living in tents by the harbour front. “They were camping just between the harbour arm and the fort. They have been there a couple weeks, I’ve walked my dog past them. People don’t usually camp there.” Alan Facer, 41, a fisherman from Hove, told The Telegraph: “Some of the other fishermen told me it was two adults and two kids who went in. “The wind earlier was south-westerly so usually the waves pick up quite a bit. At 3pm, the tide would have been quite high. “I was thinking the other day that someone is going to get hurt around here. Maybe with the lifeboats nearby they feel safe.” A witness told ITV: “There were search and rescue vehicles, Coastguard vehicles, and police vehicles. And then over on the other side of the river there was loads of ambulances gathered around, and the RNLI were still working essentially. “I was up near the Coastguard tower when I saw two police officers come past me holding evidence bags after they looked to be going through belongings of, presumably, those who were involved in the incident. “The evidence bags did contain what appeared to be a younger child’s clothing and other assorted items, and from that, I presume children were involved.” !Emergency services on the scene in Shoreham Roads in the area near Shoreham Fort are closed as police and ambulance teams respond to the emergency Credit: Eddie Mitchell The A259 Brighton Road was shut in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane during the incident. An ambulance was seen leaving the scene under a police escort. A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard responded to an incident reported at Shoreham at about 2.45pm. “An HM Coastguard helicopter was sent as well as Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven coastguard rescue teams, and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham. Sussex Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service also attended.” Pete Book, a resident, said he had been walking home from the pub when he “saw and heard the Coastguard helicopter circling over the lifeboat station on the beach”. He told the BBC: “As I neared home, a yellow air ambulance helicopter landed. There were a lot of ambulances, Coastguard and police vehicles converging on the area, and the coast road was closed. “An orange and white air ambulance then landed, and the Coastguard helicopter flew off.” Victoria Flint, who had taken her children to the beach with her husband, said: “We arrived at about 3pm and soon after we heard the siren for the lifeboat. “We watched it launch then about 20 minutes later, it came back. Ambulances started arriving. More and more of them. Then the air ambulances started.” Roger Pettitt told the Brighton Argus that his daughter, who lives near the seafront in Shoreham, had seen two helicopters landing at the port. “A yellow helicopter landed by the lifeboat station,” he said, adding that another had landed nearby afterwards. He said: “There’s loads of police, loads of ambulances, fire engines – a lot of sirens.” !Emergency services at the scene near Shoreham lifeboat station Emergency services at the scene near Shoreham lifeboat station Credit: David McHugh/Brighton Pictures Tom Rutland, the MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said he was “deeply concerned” about the incident. In a post on X, he said his thoughts were with “everyone involved and their loved ones” during “an extremely worrying time”. He added: “I have reached out to the police for further information, but this is an ongoing incident and the priority of emergency services should of course be responding to the incident.” Join the conversation Show 194 comments The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Copy link The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Related Topics West Sussex License this content You need to be a subscriber to join the conversation. Find out more here. Log In Subscribe Advertisement More stories My day with the RNLI lifeguards keeping Britain’s swimmers safe !Image of My day with the RNLI lifeguards keeping Britain’s swimmers safe Jet ski tows dinghy carrying 100 migrants !Image of Jet ski tows dinghy carrying 100 migrants Shabby Brighton has long needed cleaning up – now it’s finally happening !Image of Shabby Brighton has long needed cleaning up – now it’s finally happening One dead after triple stabbing in west London !Image of One dead after triple stabbing in west London If only more of our seaside towns were like Broadstairs !Image of If only more of our seaside towns were like Broadstairs River search for Coldstream Guard missing after pub fight !Image of River search for Coldstream Guard missing after pub fight More from News ‘I fired my company’s HR department – and all problems disappeared’ !Ryan Breslow United Nations is no longer fit for purpose, says top UN official !Matthias Schmale When passengers applaud a pilot just for landing, you know something’s gone wrong !Passengers board a flight at Nice airport Prostate cancer can be diagnosed without invasive biopsy !Patient having MRI scan The British institutions defying the Supreme Court’s trans ruling !Stop Erasing Women * Queen smiled for the cameras – but she was keeping a devastating secret !The Queen on her visit to the Maggie's cancer centre More from The Telegraph The small boats crisis isn’t anywhere close to being over !Image of The small boats crisis isn’t anywhere close to being over Pictured: British newlyweds killed in Greek helicopter crash !Image of Pictured: British newlyweds killed in Greek helicopter crash 10 great walks with a swim near London !Image of 10 great walks with a swim near London Protected chalk stream could be tapped to combat water shortages !Image of Protected chalk stream could be tapped to combat water shortages Deadly sharks have arrived in Europe’s seaside holiday hotspots – should you be worried? !Image of Deadly sharks have arrived in Europe’s seaside holiday hotspots – should you be worried? Boy, 12, injured after crashing mother’s car on 38-mile joyride !Image of Boy, 12, injured after crashing mother’s car on 38-mile joyride

More details have been released about the family involved in yesterday’s tragedy at Shoreham. All four people have been formally identified and we can confirm they were all members of the same family. Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner, Zeina Alayn, 37 and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas were all confirmed deceased at the scene after being pulled from the water. A fourth person, a young girl who was also part of the family, remains in hospital in a critical condition. It is understood the family travelled down from their home in London to visit Shoreham, and entered the water from the beach at Shoreham Fort around 2pm on Tuesday afternoon, before getting into trouble. A significant emergency service response followed including, HM Coastguard, the RNLI and South East Coast Ambulance Service and police. The investigation into the incident remains open, but following review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts. Sussex Police say the current hypothesis is that this was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement. Enquires will continue and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner ahead of an inquest. Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community. "The thoughts of all at Sussex Police remain with the family’s loved ones as we work with our partners, including HM Coroner, to understand exactly how this incident occurred. “The emergency response was significant, and I would like to thank all of the first responders for their determined attempts to save all four people, as well as the wider public for their patience during the incident. “We will release further updates as soon as we are able, but we ask the family are given the privacy they deserve at this incredibly difficult time.” The MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, Tom Rutland, has been speaking to V2 Radio's News Editor Philip Keeler: Joss Loader, Chair of Shoreham Beach Residents Association and Independent councillor on Adur District Council, told V2 Radio about the profound sense of sadness she felt towards what took place: Anyone with any information or video footage that could assist police with their enquiries is asked to contact them online or via 101, quoting Operation North. More on this story follows....(refresh for updates) Get the latest ALERTS for BREAKING NEWS in the SOUTH on your phone by downloading the V2 RADIO APP today! V2VOUCHERS.CO.UK is offering half-price deals on a wide range of experiences across the South, from meals out at local restaurants to tickets for some of the region’s biggest events.

A Palestinian refugee, his partner and their teenage daughter who died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham have been named by police. Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter Sara El-Khawas are thought to have gone into the water to swim alongside a young female family member near Shoreham Fort in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, on Tuesday afternoon. Police, paramedics, coastguard crews and a lifeboat went to the scene where four people were pulled from the water. Three were pronounced dead on Tuesday, while the young girl remains in hospital in a critical condition. It is understood the family travelled from their home in London to visit Shoreham, officers said. Sussex Police said its investigation remains open, but after a review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, it is currently thought the deaths were a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement. Sources have said there is currently no evidence to suggest a fishing net was involved. Earlier on Wednesday, the Palestinian embassy said Mr El-Khawas was a Palestinian refugee from the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon but did not give details about the other family members. Rashidieh Camp is on the Mediterranean coast in southern Lebanon and is one of the most populous Palestinian refugee camps in the country. The older part of the camp was built by the French government in 1936 to accommodate Armenian refugees who fled to Lebanon, while the newer part was built by United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in 1963 for Palestine refugees, according to the agency. In a statement on Facebook, the Palestinian embassy said it was “closely monitoring the incident”. It added: “As the embassy extends its deepest condolences and sympathy to the victims’ family, their loved ones, and members of the Palestinian community in the United Kingdom in this painful affliction, it wishes the injured girl a speedy recovery.” In a statement, Adnan Hmidan, chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, paid tribute to the family, although his spelling of their name differed from that used by Sussex Police. He said: “The Palestinian, Arab and wider community in Britain, along with the many friends and supporters of our community, have been deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic incident involving the Khawwas family during a day trip off the coast of Sussex yesterday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family, particularly the children, who are facing an unimaginable loss. We ask everyone to respect their privacy and dignity at this painful time. “We especially appeal to members of the media not to approach or disturb the family or the children while they are grieving and trying to come to terms with this devastating tragedy. “The relevant authorities are carrying out the necessary procedures and investigations, and we ask that the family be given the space and time they need while those processes take place. “Our community stands united with the Khawwas family. We will continue to support them in every way we can and to ensure that they know they are not alone.” Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned of the dangers of open water swimming after the incident, which he described as “a terrible family tragedy”. He said: “The thing I can say today – and there is still, I think, a further heatwave to come in this summer period – it is just to remind people about the dangers of open water swimming. “The coldness, even when it feels hot outside, it can shock people and that can cause the difficulties. So people just need to remember that at all times. “I do need to praise the emergency services who I know were on scene very quickly yesterday. They’ve had a busy summer but they were there and we thank them.” The family are believed to have entered the water from the south of the 19th century Shoreham Fort, on the west side of the harbour arm. Video footage showed a number of emergency services searching an area of water near to an arm of the harbour where the River Adur meets the sea. Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community. “The thoughts of all at Sussex Police remain with the family’s loved ones as we work with our partners, including HM Coroner, to understand exactly how this incident occurred. “The emergency response was significant, and I would like to thank all of the first responders for their determined attempts to save all four people, as well as the wider public for their patience during the incident. “We will release further updates as soon as we are able, but we ask the family are given the privacy they deserve at this incredibly difficult time.” The force said it will prepare a file for the coroner ahead of any inquest. Nearby residents told of their shock at the tragedy and their concerns for the girl fighting for her life. Joss Loader, who lives nearby and represents Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association on Adur District Council, said: “There’s just a really strong sense of shock, obviously people are really concerned for the young girl. “It’s school holidays and we have had a wonderful summer so the beaches have been packed with families. “The weather was quite calm, not as hot as recent days but it was a perfectly normal day. “People swim from those beaches even in the winter, generally it is considered as safe as the sea can be. You wouldn’t be swimming there and think you were taking a risk.” But others warned that swimming at Shoreham can be dangerous. Anna Peacock, 81, who lives near Kingston Beach across the water from Shoreham Fort, said: “People come down to swim, particularly in the summertime, and I don’t think they realise there’s a riptide along here. “It’s very inviting to come to the sea, but the tide could carry you out in seconds, and I don’t think people have realised that.” Robina Baine, also an Adur councillor who represents the Southwick Green ward where the RNLI lifeboat station is, said: “These events are absolutely tragic and our thoughts are with the family and friends that have lost their loved ones. “I have been here for 46 years and this is the most tragic incident there has been.”

A family of Palestinian refugees who died after getting into trouble in sea in Shoreham have been named as Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner, Zeina Alayn, 37 and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas The couple’s other daughter, who has not been named, is currently fighting for her life in hospital after three of her family members died in the water off the Sussex coast. The embassy confirmed that their father was from the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon, and that they had been in touch with their relatives. Several ambulances and two air ambulances were seen near the RNLI station in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, on Tuesday afternoon. Police said it is believed the family had travelled down from London to visit Shoreham, and that they had entered the sea for a swim. A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “The investigation into the incident remains open, but following review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, the current hypothesis is that this was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement.” The Palestinian Forum in Britain wrote on social media: “The (PFB) extends its deepest condolences to the family of Hossam El-Khawas, his wife and daughter, and to the Palestinian community in Britain, especially the people of Rashidieh Camp, Lebanon. “May Allah have mercy on them and grant strength and patience to their loved ones. We also pray for the swift recovery of their surviving daughter.” Rashidieh Camp is on the Mediterranean coast in southern Lebanon and is one of the most populous Palestinian refugee camps in the country. Andy Burnham has warned of the dangers of open water swimming as he called the deaths a “tragedy”. The prime minister said: “The thing I can say today – and there is still, I think, a further heatwave to come in this summer period – it is just to remind people about the dangers of open water swimming. “The coldness, even when it feels hot outside, it can shock people and that can cause the difficulties. So people just need to remember that at all times. The Times has reported that in recent days, an estimated 20 people had been camping on the beach, including women and children. A woman called Rita, who saw the family at about 2.45pm on Tuesday, said: “I was sitting in the car reading my paper and I saw them going through the car park. They looked like a nice family who were getting ready to go for a swim. It’s awful. There they were and now they’re gone.” Joss Loader, who lives nearby and represents Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association on Adur District Council, said: “There’s just a really strong sense of shock, obviously people are really concerned for the young girl. “A small tightly knight community with a very deep sense of shock and that sense of disbelief you get after a tragedy because it has come out of nowhere.” Shoreham Beach is a spit of land with water on three sides from the River Adur, the estuary and the sea, and Ms Loader said the “tragic events” happened in the estuary. “It’s school holidays and we have had a wonderful summer so the beaches have been packed with families,” she said. “The weather was quite calm, not as hot as recent days but it was a perfectly normal day. “People swim from those beaches even in the winter, generally it is considered as safe as the sea can be. You wouldn’t be swimming there and think you were taking a risk.” The A259 Brighton Road was blocked in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane because of the incident. A resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Telegraph: “I heard from friends in the coastguard that it was a family who had been living in tents by the harbour front. “They were camping just between the harbour arm and the fort. They have been there for a couple weeks, I’ve walked my dog past them. People don’t usually camp there.” Alan Facer, a fisherman from Hove, told the newspaper: “The wind earlier was south-westerly so usually the waves pick up quite a bit. “At 3pm, the tide would have been quite high. “I was thinking the other day that someone is going to get hurt around here.” Shoreham-by-sea is a coastal town outside of Brighton, and is a popular spot for families and day-trippers heading to the beach. Water sports are popular from its shingle beach, including paddleboarding and kitesurfing, while parts of the harbour and port areas are used for industrial purposes. Anna Peacock, 81, who lives near Kingston Beach across the water from Shoreham Fort, said emergency services were on the scene very quickly. She said: “It was terribly sad to know that just across the road people have lost their lives. People come down to swim, particularly in the summertime and I don’t think they realise there’s a riptide along here. “It’s very inviting to come to the sea, but the tide could carry you out in seconds, and I don’t think people have realised that.” Mrs Peacock said she worries that children today are not taught to swim and said people should be warned about the dangers of swimming in the sea. At the scene, an ambulance could be seen leaving under a police escort with blue lights flashing. Shoreham RNLI was tasked by HM Coastguard at around 3pm on Tuesday, an RNLI spokesman said. The lifeboat station and shop was closed to visitors on Wednesday but the lifeboat was still on service. East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tom Rutland said in a statement on Facebook: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic news that three people have died following an incident in the water near Shoreham Fort this afternoon. “I spoke earlier with Sussex Police and Shoreham RNLI and have been briefed on the response by the emergency services. “My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives, and I know the whole community here in Shoreham will be hoping and praying for the recovery of the young girl receiving medical treatment in hospital.”