the community was “heartbroken” by Saja’s death.
A six-year-old girl has died in hospital after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham in West Sussex.
Saja El-Khawas, a British Palestinian from London, was rescued from the water on Tuesday after emergency services responded to reports of four people in difficulty.
Her father Hassan El-Khawas, mother Zeina Alayn and 14-year-old sister Sara died at the scene despite efforts by paramedics to save them.
Emergency services were called to the sea near Shoreham Fort at about 2:40 pm on Tuesday.
Sussex Police said the family had travelled from London to visit Shoreham that day.
The family had entered the water from the beach at Shoreham Fort at about 2 pm before getting into difficulty.
A major emergency response followed, involving HM Coastguard, the RNLI, South East Coast Ambulance Service and Sussex Police.
The incident happened at Kingston Beach, close to Shoreham Port and around 6.3 miles from Brighton.
Saja was taken to hospital following the rescue but later died.
Sussex Police said their investigation remains ongoing, but there is currently no indication of third-party involvement.
Police said CCTV footage and initial witness accounts suggest the incident was a tragic accident.
A file will now be prepared for the coroner ahead of an inquest.
Chief Superintendent James Collis described the deaths as a “heartbreaking” tragedy.
He said the impact had been felt across the country, including by the Shoreham community and emergency responders.
Tom Rutland, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said the community was “heartbroken” by Saja’s death.
He said people had been hoping and praying for her recovery since she was taken to hospital.
The family were British citizens of Palestinian origin and had roots in the Rashidieh refugee camp in Lebanon.
The Palestinian Forum said their extended family had lived in the UK for many years.
People in Shoreham have left flowers and other tributes near the scene.
The Beach Residents’ Association said the tragedy had sent “shockwaves” across the local community.
A one-minute silence is planned in Shoreham town centre to remember the family.
The deaths have prompted an outpouring of sympathy from residents and community leaders.
The family’s deaths are being investigated by Sussex Police, with an inquest expected to take place at a later date.
For the British Palestinian community, the tragedy has also brought renewed grief as relatives and friends remember a family who had made their home in London.
