Saja El-Khawas, six, has died in hospital after she was pulled from the sea at Shoreham on Tuesday, bringing the total number of fatalities in the family tragedy to four. She had been in a critical condition following the deaths of her sister Sara El-Khawas, 14, and their parents Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, who drowned off the coast of Shoreham-by-Sea on Tuesday afternoon.
Her death was confirmed through a legal notice from solicitors acting on behalf of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, as well as by the Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB). The Palestinian embassy previously stated that Mr El-Khawas was a Palestinian refugee from the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon.
What happened at Shoreham Beach
The family, believed to have travelled from their home in London to visit Shoreham, entered the water from the beach near Shoreham Fort at around 2pm before encountering difficulties. Strong currents caused Sara to become caught in a fishing net. Her father attempted to rescue her, prompting her mother to enter the water when he also began struggling, and Saja followed.
The PFB explained earlier this week that the conditions proved ‘overwhelming’, leading to their deaths. A large emergency response was triggered, with several ambulances and two air ambulances sent to the scene. An HM Coastguard helicopter, rescue teams from nearby Littlehampton, Newhaven and Shoreham, and an RNLI lifeboat also attended.
Investigation and community response
On Wednesday, Sussex Police said their investigation remains open, but after a review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, it is currently believed the deaths were a tragic accident with no third-party involvement. Chief Superintendent James Collis said: ‘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.’
Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing, which Sara attended, posted a tribute on its website. The school said of the Year 8 pupil: ‘Sara was a sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students, and she will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and all those affected. This news will be deeply upsetting for many students, families and staff.’
Adnan Hmidan, chairman of the PFB, had previously said the community was ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by the deaths. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family, particularly the children, who are facing an unimaginable loss,’ he said. The community had been praying for Saja’s recovery.
