Girl, 6, Dies After Family Tragedy in Sea Off Shoreham

Six-Year-Old Girl Dies After Family Tragedy at Shoreham Beach

A six-year-old girl has died in hospital after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham, West Sussex, in a devastating incident that also claimed the lives of her father, mother and teenage sister.

Saja El-Khawas, a British Palestinian from London, was rescued from the water by emergency crews on Tuesday but later died in hospital.

Her father, Hassan El-Khawas, 55, her mother, Zeina Alayn, 37, and her 14-year-old sister, Sara, died despite efforts by paramedics to save them at the scene.

Family Got Into Difficulty in the Sea Near Shoreham Fort

Emergency services were called to the sea near Shoreham Fort at approximately 14:40 BST on Tuesday following reports that four people were in difficulty in the water.

The family had reportedly entered the sea from the beach at around 14:00 before getting into trouble.

The incident took place at Kingston Beach, close to Shoreham Port and a short distance from Shoreham-by-Sea.

Authorities launched a major emergency response involving HM Coastguard, the RNLI, South East Coast Ambulance Service and Sussex Police.

Police Investigate Shoreham Sea Tragedy

Sussex Police said the family had travelled from their home in London to visit Shoreham on the day of the tragedy.

Following an initial review of CCTV footage and witness accounts, police said their current assessment is that the incident was a tragic accident, with no evidence at this stage of third-party involvement.

The investigation remains ongoing, and a file is expected to be prepared for the coroner ahead of an inquest.

Community Pays Tribute to Family

The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief, with members of the Shoreham community leaving flowers and tributes near the scene.

The family were British citizens of Palestinian origin and had connections to the Rashidieh refugee camp in Lebanon, according to the Palestinian Forum.

Local residents and community representatives described the incident as a devastating tragedy that has sent shockwaves through Shoreham and beyond.

Chief Superintendent James Collis said the latest development was a heartbreaking outcome following Tuesday's events, adding that the impact of the tragedy would continue to be felt by the local community, emergency responders and everyone involved.

The deaths of Saja and her family have left the community mourning a devastating loss, as authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.