British-Palestinian girl, 6, dies in hospital days after family drowns off UK coast

A devastating tragedy has struck a British-Palestinian family, culminating in the death of a six-year-old girl days after her parents and teenage sister drowned off the coast of West Sussex. The family had traveled from London to Shoreham for a day out when they encountered trouble in the sea near Shoreham Fort.

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Saja's death has left the Shoreham community devastated, with residents leaving flowers at the beach where the tragedy unfolded.

Emergency responders pulled the young girl, Saja El-Khawas, from the water on Tuesday, but she remained in critical condition before succumbing to her injuries in the hospital. Her father, Hassan El-Khawas, 55, mother Zeina Alayn, 37, and 14-year-old sister Sara could not be revived by paramedics at the scene. The family were British citizens with Palestinian origins and roots in Lebanon.

Sussex Police were alerted shortly before 3 p.m. on Tuesday following reports of four individuals in distress in the water. A large-scale rescue operation involving HM Coastguard, RNLI lifeboats, police, and ambulance crews was launched. Initial investigations, including CCTV footage review and witness accounts, suggest the incident was a tragic accident. Authorities have stated there is no indication of any third-party involvement, and a file is being prepared for the coroner's inquest.

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The community had been 'hoping and praying' for Saja's recovery and described her death as heartbreaking.

The community of Shoreham has been left heartbroken by the loss, with residents leaving flowers on the beach. The local MP, Tom Rutland, expressed the community's prayers for Saja's recovery and described her death as heartbreaking. Authorities have also issued warnings about the dangers of open-water swimming, even in warm weather, following this tragic event.

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Sussex Police Chief Superintendent James Collis described the incident as a 'heartbreaking tragedy', while authorities also warned of the dangers of open-water swimming even during warm weather.