British-Palestinian Family Tragedy at Shoreham-by-Sea

Aug 20, 2026

72 min

Aug 20, 2026 03:31

British-Palestinian parents, teenage daughter die in sea off UK coast

## Family Drowns in Tragic Incident

A British-Palestinian family faced a devastating tragedy off the coast of Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, resulting in the deaths of Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his wife Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter Sara. The family, who had traveled from London, encountered difficulties in the water, leading to this heartbreaking incident.

## Rescue Efforts and Investigation

Emergency services, including police, paramedics, coastguard teams, and lifeboat crews, responded swiftly to the scene. Two air ambulances were also deployed. Initial investigations suggest the incident was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement. However, the exact circumstances are still under review.

## Survivor in Critical Condition

The family's younger daughter remains in critical condition in the hospital. Reports suggest that Sara may have become entangled in a fishing net, prompting her father to attempt a rescue. As conditions worsened, her mother and sister also entered the water to help.

## Community and Official Reactions

The Palestinian Forum in Britain and the Palestinian embassy have expressed their condolences, noting the family's roots in the Rashidieh refugee camp in Lebanon. The British Prime Minister described the event as a terrible family tragedy and emphasized the importance of water safety awareness.

## Family Background

The El-Khawas family, British citizens of Palestinian origin, had moved to the UK about a decade ago. Two other children, Yusuf and Malak, were onshore during the incident and are now under the care of an uncle.

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