Shoreham deaths latest: First pictures of tragic refugee family pulled from sea

Sussex Police say the three family members, named as Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner, Zeina Alayn, 37 and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas, had travelled down to Shoreham from their home in London.

In an update, the force said: “Yesterday afternoon (18 August), three people tragically lost their lives in the sea off Shoreham, and a fourth person remains in hospital in a critical condition having been recovered from the water.

“All four people have been formally identified and we can confirm they were all members of the same family.

“Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner, Zeina Alayn, 37 and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas were all confirmed deceased at the scene after being pulled from the water.

“A fourth person, a young girl who was also part of the family, remains in hospital in a critical condition.”

Sussex Police said they understand that the family, who lived in London, were visiting Shoreham when they entered the water.

“It is understood the family travelled down from their home in London to visit Shoreham, and entered the water from the beach at Shoreham Fort around 2pm on Tuesday afternoon, before getting into trouble,” the statement adds.