Girl, 6, dies after family killed in sea off Shoreham

A six-year-old girl has died in hospital after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham in West Sussex, in an incident which also killed her father, mother and sister.

Saja El-Khawas, a British Palestinian from London, was pulled from the sea by emergency crews on Tuesday.

Her father Hassan El-Khawas, 55, mother Zeina Alayn, 37, and 14-year-old sister Sara, died despite the efforts of paramedics at the scene.

Emergency services were called to the sea off Shoreham Fort at about 14:40 BST on Tuesday to a report of four people in difficulty in the water.

The incident took place at Kingston Beach, a short distance from Shoreham Port.

Shoreham-by-Sea is about a 6.3 mile (10.1km) drive away from Brighton.

In a statement, Sussex Police said the family had travelled down from their home in London to visit Shoreham that day.

The force said the family had entered the water from the beach at Shoreham Fort about 14:00 before getting into trouble.

A significant emergency service response followed including HM Coastguard, the RNLI and South East Coast Ambulance Service and Sussex Police.

"The investigation into the incident remains open, but following review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, the current hypothesis is that this was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement," a police spokesperson said.

They added that a file would be prepared for the coroner ahead of an inquest.

Ch Supt James Collis said: "This heartbreaking update is one we all feared in the aftermath of Tuesday's tragic events.

"The impact of this tragedy has been felt across the country, and I know the Shoreham community, emergency responders and all involved will continue to be affected for a long time to come.

"I would like to thank all of the public who have shared their sympathies and kind words."

The family lived in London and were British citizens of Palestinian origin, with roots in the Rashidieh refugee camp in Lebanon. Their extended family had lived in the UK for many years, the Palestinian Forum says.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the incident a "terrible family tragedy".

People in Shoreham left floral tributes at the scene and said the community was devastated.

The Beach Residents' Association said the incident had "sent shockwaves across the local community".

Local councillor Joss Loader, who represents the Shoreham Beach Residents' Association and has lived in the area most of her life, described the deaths as a "shocking, heart-rending tragedy".

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