Girl, 6, dies days after Shoreham sea tragedy killed three family members
She is the fourth person to die after her family got into difficulty in water in Shoreham.
On Tuesday, a tragic sea incident off Shoreham in West Sussex claimed the lives of six-year-old Saja El-Khawas and her family. Saja, a British Palestinian, was among four individuals who encountered difficulties in the water near Kingston Beach. Her father, Hassan El-Khawas, 55, mother, Zeina Alayn, 37, and 14-year-old sister, Sara, also lost their lives despite immediate medical assistance.
The emergency services, including HM Coastguard, the RNLI, and the South East Coast Ambulance Service, responded swiftly to the scene, with Sussex Police leading the investigation. According to initial reports, the family had traveled from London to Shoreham to visit relatives. Sussex Police stated that CCTV footage and witness accounts suggested the tragic event was an accident, with no external involvement.
The family, originally from London, had roots in the Rashidieh refugee camp in Lebanon. Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the incident as a "terrible family tragedy," while community members have expressed their deep sorrow through floral tributes and a community vigil.
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