Sussex Police have identified the three family members who lost their lives after encountering difficulties in the sea near Shoreham Fort on Tuesday. The victims were 55-year-old Hassan El-Khawas, 37-year-old Zeina Alayn, and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas. A younger girl from the same family was rescued from the water and remains in critical condition at a hospital.
Investigators, having reviewed CCTV footage, have concluded that the incident was a tragic accident with no evidence of third-party involvement. The family, who were British citizens of Palestinian origin with roots in Lebanon’s Rashidieh refugee camp, had traveled from their home in London to visit the coast. Two other children were reported to be on the shore at the time of the incident.
Emergency Response and Official Statements
- Incident Time: Shortly before 15:00 BST on Tuesday.
- Agencies Involved: Coastguard crews, RNLI lifeboats, air ambulances, police, and ambulance teams.
- Community Impact: Local churches, including the Good Shepherd, have opened for prayer and support.
- Official Stance: Chief Superintendent James Collis described the event as a heartbreaking tragedy that has deeply impacted the Shoreham community.
The Palestinian Forum in Britain expressed profound shock and sadness, with chairman Adnan Hmidan stating that their thoughts and prayers are with the family, particularly the children facing an unimaginable loss. The Palestinian Embassy in London is currently monitoring the situation and coordinating with British authorities to provide support and verify the condition of the hospitalized child.
Public officials have highlighted the ongoing risks associated with open water swimming. Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the event as a terrible family tragedy and warned that even during summer heatwaves, the coldness of the water can cause unexpected physical shock and danger. Adur District Council chair Julia Watts echoed these sentiments, noting that while many residents swim daily, the sea remains inherently unpredictable.
Local residents and business owners have been left shaken by the scale of the disaster. Neha Patel, who operates a nearby beach shop, described the atmosphere as one of profound shock. Floral tributes have been placed near the Shoreham RNLI station as the community mourns. Robina Baine, an Adur councillor for Southwick Green, remarked that in her 46 years in the area, this represents the most tragic incident she has witnessed.
This incident follows a series of recent water-related fatalities across the UK, including the deaths of three sisters off the coast of Brighton in May, an 18-year-old at Camber Sands earlier this month, and a mother and daughter who died while attempting to assist a child in the water at West Mersea, Essex. Police inquiries into the Shoreham tragedy are ongoing, and a file is being prepared for the coroner. The report also notes that a statement issued by the embassy sent condolences to the family and the UK’s Palestinian community and wished the girl a speedy recovery. The report also notes that the thing I can say today â and there is still, I think, a further heatwave to come in this summer period â it is just to remind people about the dangers of open water swimming,” he said. The report also notes that so people just need to remember that at all times. The report also notes that i do need to praise the emergency services who I know were on scene very quickly yesterday. The report also notes that they’ve had a busy summer but they were there and we thank them. The report also notes that who were among them, described the family’s deaths as “a real shock to such a small town”, friends Liz Donnelly and Lee Smith.
