Father, mother and daughter who died after entering water off Sussex named

19 Aug 2026 • 10:52 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Father, mother and daughter who died after entering water off Sussex named

Three family members who died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham have been named by police.

Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter Sara El-Khawas are thought to have gone into the water to swim with another family member near Shoreham Fort in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, on Tuesday afternoon.

Police, paramedics, coastguard crews and a lifeboat went to the scene where four people were pulled from the water.

Three were pronounced dead on Tuesday, while a young girl who was also part of the family remains in hospital in a critical condition.

It is understood the family travelled from their home in London to visit Shoreham, officers said.

Sussex Police said its investigation remains open, but following a review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, the current hypothesis is that the incident was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement.

Sources have said there is no evidence currently to suggest a fishing net was involved.

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