Full Breakdown
Shoreham Beach Tragedy Claims Four Members of a Palestinian-British Family
8/22/2026, 8:30:37 AM
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
On a Tuesday afternoon off Shoreham Fort in West Sussex, a family of four entered the sea for a swim and subsequently got into difficulty. The family—father Hassan El-Khawas, 55; mother Zeina Alayn, 37; 14-year-old daughter Sara El-Khawas; and 6-year-old daughter Saja El-Khawas—were pulled from the water by emergency crews. Hassan, Zeina and Sara were pronounced dead at the scene. Saja was taken to hospital in critical condition and died three days later, on Aug 21.
Family Background
The El-Khawas family were British citizens of Palestinian origin who lived in north-west London. Their roots trace back to the Rashidieh refugee camp on the Mediterranean coast of southern Lebanon, one of the most populous Palestinian camps in the country. The Palestinian Forum in Britain and the Palestinian embassy in London confirmed the family’s background.
Emergency Response
A large multi-agency response was mounted, involving Sussex Police, the HM Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the South East Coast Ambulance Service. Two air ambulances were also deployed to the shoreline. Police reviewed CCTV footage and early witness statements as part of the investigation.
Official Statements & Responses
Chief Superintendent James Collis emphasized the profound impact on the local community. The UK government’s senior official Andy Burnham called the incident a “terrible family tragedy” and warned the public about the dangers of open-water swimming during heatwaves.
Community Reaction
The Palestinian Forum in Britain held a gathering to mourn the family, with its chairman describing the broader community as “deeply shocked and saddened.” Sara’s school, Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls, issued a statement recalling her as a “sweet, well-liked” student.
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
- “This heartbreaking update is one we all feared in the aftermath of Tuesday's tragic events.” — Ch Supt James Collis, chief
- “The Palestinian, Arab and wider community in Britain... have been deeply shocked and saddened.” — Adnan Hmidan, chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain
Data & Statistics
- Four family members died: three at the scene, one in hospital.
- The incident occurred at approximately 14:00 BST, with emergency services arriving shortly thereafter.
- Shoreham-by-Sea is located about 6.3 miles (10.1 km) from Brighton.
What’s Next
Sussex Police will continue the open investigation and forward their findings to the coroner for an inquest. No further public actions have been announced.
