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Headlines

Girl dies in hospital days after family drowned off English coast, police say

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on August 21, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: August 21, 2026

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Six-Year-Old Girl Dies After Family Drowns Off English Coast in Shoreham

Tragic Drowning Incident Involving Palestinian-British Family

Details of the Incident

Aug 21 (Reuters) - A six-year-old Palestinian-British girl, whose parents and sister died earlier this week after getting into difficulty in the sea off the southern coast of England, has also died in hospital, Sussex police said on Friday.

Victims Identified

Saja El-Khawas was taken to hospital in critical condition on Tuesday after her father Hassan El-Khawas, 55, her mother, Zeina Alayn, 37, and her 14-year-old sister, Sara El-Khawas, died at the scene.

Timeline and Location

The family had travelled from their home in London to visit Shoreham and entered the water from the beach on Tuesday afternoon before getting into trouble, the police said.

Investigation and Background

Ongoing Investigation

An investigation remains open, although the current theory is that it was a "tragic accident, with no third-party involvement", the police said.

Family Background

The Daily Telegraph newspaper had reported on Tuesday, citing the Palestinian embassy, that the family was originally from the Rashidieh refugee camp in southern Lebanon.

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Natalia Bueno Rebolledo in Mexico City; Editing by Chris Reese)

Key Takeaways

  • Emergency crews pulled four members of the El‑Khawas family from the sea near Shoreham Fort, West Sussex, on August 18; Hassan El‑Khawas (55), Zeina Alayn (37), and their daughter Sara (14) died at the scene, and six‑year‑old Saja was hospitalized in critical condition (brightonandhovenews.org).
  • On August 21, Saja El‑Khawas succumbed to her injuries and died in hospital, as confirmed by legal notice from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and the Palestinian Forum in Britain (brightonandhovenews.org).
  • The family, London residents of Palestinian origin from the Rashidieh refugee camp in southern Lebanon, had traveled for a day‑trip when they entered the sea and got into difficulty. Sussex Police state the deaths are being treated as a tragic accident, with no third‑party involvement (internazionale.it).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the victims of the drowning off the English coast?
The victims were a six-year-old girl, her parents, and her 14-year-old sister, all from a Palestinian-British family visiting Shoreham.
Where did the incident occur?
The incident occurred at Shoreham beach on the southern coast of England.
Was foul play suspected in the drowning?
No, Sussex police believe it was a tragic accident with no third-party involvement.
What is the background of the family?
The family had Palestinian roots and were originally from the Rashidieh refugee camp in southern Lebanon.
Is the police investigation still ongoing?
Yes, the police have stated that the investigation remains open.

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