Full Breakdown
Tragedy off Shoreham: Three Members of a British-Palestinian Family Drown, Fourth Injured
8/20/2026, 9:38:29 PM
Core Event
On Tuesday, a family of four entered the sea from Shoreham Fort beach in West Sussex. The group—55-year-old Hassan El-Khawas, his partner 37-year-old Zeina Alayn, their 14-year-old daughter Sara El-Khawas, and a younger sister—were reported in difficulty. Despite a large multi-agency rescue effort, Hassan, Zeina and Sara were pronounced dead after being brought ashore. The younger sister survived but remains in critical condition in a local hospital.
Background & Context
The El-Khawas family travelled from London to the south coast for a summer visit. Both parents were British citizens of Palestinian origin, with roots in the Rashidieh refugee camp in southern Lebanon. The Palestinian Forum in Britain and the Palestinian Embassy in London confirmed the family’s background and issued condolences.
Timeline
- Around 2:00 p.m. (Tuesday) – Family entered the water.
- 2:40 p.m. – Sussex Police received calls reporting four people in difficulty near Shoreham Harbour.
- ?3:00 p.m. – RNLI was tasked by HM Coastguard to respond.
- Shortly after 3:00 p.m. – Ground and two air ambulances arrived; all four were brought to shore.
- Later that afternoon – Police confirmed three deaths and the sister’s critical condition.
Data & Statistics
- Deceased: Hassan El-Khawas, Zeina Alayn, Sara El-Khawas.
- Survivor: Younger sister, age reported as six, in critical condition.
- Agencies involved: Sussex Police, His Majesty’s Coastguard, RNLI, South East Coast Ambulance Service, local fire and rescue units.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sussex Police said CCTV review found no evidence of third-party involvement, describing the incident as a tragic accident.
- Chief Superintendent James Collis confirmed the emergency call timeline and coordinated response.
- Prime Minister warned of the dangers of open-water swimming, noting cold water can cause shock even on hot days.
- Mayor Andy Burnham called the deaths a “tragedy” and echoed the warning.
- Rachel Kruger, headteacher, announced bereavement support for staff and pupils.
- MP Tom Rutland said the community was “shocked and saddened” and called for broader water-safety education.
- Adnan Hmidan, chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, conveyed community grief.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local resident Joss Loader of the Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association described a “strong sense of shock” in the community. He noted that swimming at Shoreham is generally considered safe and that the incident appeared to come “out of nowhere.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Police have ruled out third-party involvement, but the precise cause of the family’s distress remains under investigation. Some accounts cite worsening waves and currents; others point to a sudden seabed drop-off near the harbour. Detectives continue to review CCTV and witness statements.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As the waves and currents intensified, her mother, Zeina Alyan, also entered the water to try to save them. Sadly, the conditions proved overwhelming.” — Adnan Hmidan
What’s Next
Sussex Police will keep examining CCTV and gathering witness accounts to determine the exact sequence of events. No further public updates have been scheduled, and authorities have not announced changes to coastal safety signage or lifeguard deployment at Shoreham Fort.
