Full Breakdown
Tragic Shoreham Sea Incident Claims Four Members of a Palestinian-British Family
8/22/2026, 2:17:16 AM
Core Event
On August 18, emergency services responded to Shoreham Fort, West Sussex, after a family of four entered the water and encountered difficulty. The victims were identified as Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter Sara El-Khawas, all of whom died at the scene. Their younger sister, Saja El-Khawas, 6, was rescued but later died in hospital, bringing the death toll to four. The surviving child remains in critical condition.
Background & Context
The family were British citizens of Palestinian origin with roots in the Rashidieh refugee camp in southern Lebanon. They had travelled from London for a day visit to Shoreham. Open-water swimming warnings were later issued by the UK prime minister amid a heatwave that has seen a rise in drownings across Europe.
Key Figures
- Hassan El-Khawas – father.
- Zeina Alayn – mother.
- Sara El-Khawas – daughter.
- Saja El-Khawas – younger daughter, later died.
- Chief Superintendent James Collis – Sussex Police senior officer leading the investigation.
- Andy Burnham – UK prime minister, who issued a public statement.
- Adnan Hmidan – Chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain.
Timeline
- ~14:00 BST, Aug 18 – Family entered the sea from Shoreham Fort.
- 14:40 BST – Calls received; HM Coastguard, RNLI, ambulance service and Sussex Police deployed.
- ~15:00 BST – All four individuals brought ashore; three pronounced dead on site.
- Aug 19 – Sussex Police confirmed the deaths and the critical condition of the surviving child.
- Aug 19 – Prime minister Andy Burnham warned of open-water swimming dangers.
Data & Statistics
- Victims: 4 family members (ages 55, 37, 14, 6).
- Survivor: 1 child, critical condition.
- Emergency response: Coastguard, RNLI lifeboat, two air-ambulance helicopters, ambulance service, Sussex Police and local agencies.
- Road impact: Section of the A259 was closed during the operation.
Official Statements & Responses
Sussex Police said CCTV review and witness accounts support the hypothesis of a tragic accident with no third-party involvement and that a coroner’s file will be prepared. The Palestinian Forum in Britain expressed deep shock and offered condolences. Prime minister Andy Burnham described the incident as a “terrible family tragedy” and urged the public to remember the hidden risks of open-water swimming during heatwaves.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local residents noted the scale of the emergency response and unusually rough sea conditions despite warm weather. Community members placed floral tributes on the shoreline, and the Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association called the event a “shockwave” for the area.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — Chief Superintendent James Collis
- “Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family, particularly the children, who are facing an unimaginable loss.” — Andy Burnham, prime minister
What’s Next
Sussex Police will continue their investigation, with a coroner’s inquest scheduled to examine the circumstances of the drownings. Authorities plan to review safety messaging for open-water swimming as summer heat persists.
