School 'deeply saddened' by death of family in sea off Shoreham

The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing, west London, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a 14-year-old girl, Sara El-Khawas, who perished alongside her parents, Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, after encountering difficulties in the sea near Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. The tragic event occurred on Tuesday, according to Sussex Police. Sara was described as a sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students. The fourth family member, a younger girl, remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Head teacher Rachel Kruger conveyed the school's profound sorrow, emphasizing that their focus is now on supporting staff and students affected by this devastating incident. Floral tributes have been left near Kingston Beach in Shoreham. The family, British citizens of Palestinian origin with roots in the Rashidieh refugee camp in Lebanon, are believed to have traveled to Shoreham from London on the same day of the incident. Hassan El-Khawas was reportedly a refugee, as stated by the Palestinian embassy in London.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Court described the incident as utterly, utterly tragic, praising the professional management of the response by Sussex Police officers and other emergency services. He acknowledged the challenging news that still needed to be broken to the families of the two other children present on the shore at the time of the incident.

Taher Aziz of the Adur Muslim Centre expressed shock at the loss of three family members and the critical condition of the surviving young girl, promising prayers for the deceased and the young girl's speedy recovery. Prime Minister Andy Burnham cautioned about the dangers of open water swimming in light of the tragic accident, calling it a terrible family tragedy.