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Palestinian Family Drowns After Shoreham Open-Water Accident

8/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A Palestinian refugee family drowned off Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, after water trouble.
Six-year-old Saja El-Khawas died in hospital on Friday, August 21, following the rescue.
Father Hassan El-Khawas, 55, mother Zeina Alayn, 37, and daughter Sara, 14, died April 19.
Sussex Police said CCTV and witnesses show a tragic accident with no third-party involvement.
Andy Burnham praised responders and warned about open-water swimming after a vigil with minute’s silence on August 22.

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Story summary

A Palestinian refugee family drowned off Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, after water trouble.
Six-year-old Saja El-Khawas died in hospital on Friday, August 21, following the rescue.
Father Hassan El-Khawas, 55, mother Zeina Alayn, 37, and daughter Sara, 14, died April 19.
Sussex Police said CCTV and witnesses show a tragic accident with no third-party involvement.
Andy Burnham praised responders and warned about open-water swimming after a vigil with minute’s silence on August 22.