- Who/What: Sara El-Khawas (14), Hassan El-Khawas (55), and Zeina Alayn (37) died following a tragic incident at sea.
- Where/When: Near Shoreham Fort, West Sussex, at approximately 14:40 BST on August 18, 2026.
- Medical Update: A six-year-old survivor is now in stable condition at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.
A London school has expressed its profound grief following the deaths of a Year 8 pupil and two family members who got into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham-by-Sea. The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing stated it is “deeply saddened” by the loss of 14-year-old Sara El-Khawas, who died alongside Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37.
Sussex Police confirmed that the trio died following what has been described as a “tragic accident” near Shoreham Fort on the afternoon of August 18. A younger girl from the same family, aged six, was rescued from the water. Medical staff at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton have confirmed that while she remains under close observation, her condition has stabilized and is no longer considered life-threatening.
Coastal Hazards at Shoreham Fort
Safety experts have issued urgent warnings regarding the specific geography of the Shoreham Fort swimming area. The beach is characterized by a “steep seabed shelf,” where the water depth increases abruptly and unexpectedly just a few meters from the shoreline. This drop-off, combined with powerful rip currents and strong tidal flows associated with the nearby River Adur estuary, creates hazardous conditions even for experienced swimmers.
The Shoreham RNLI has reiterated that the area near the harbour arm is prone to unpredictable undercurrents that can quickly pull swimmers out to sea or into the path of structural hazards.
Support and Community Funds
In response to the tragedy, the Ellen Wilkinson School has implemented a comprehensive support plan for students and staff. Specific trauma and grief counseling services have been made available through the following channels:
- School Counseling Suite: Open daily from 08:30 to 16:30 for walk-in sessions.
- Ealing Council Educational Psychology: Specialist support can be reached via 020 8825 5000.
- Winston’s Wish: For youth-specific bereavement support, call 08088 020 021 or visit winstonswish.org.
To assist the surviving children and cover funeral costs, a public memorial fund has been established by the local community. The “El-Khawas Family Support Fund” on GoFundMe has already raised significant contributions. Additionally, a book of condolence has been opened at the Palestinian Forum in Britain’s headquarters in London.
Formal Inquest and Investigation
The Senior Coroner for West Sussex has confirmed that the formal inquest into the three deaths will be opened on August 26, 2026. The hearing will take place at the West Sussex Coroner’s Court in Chichester. The inquest will seek to establish the exact sequence of events, including the validity of reports suggesting the family may have become entangled in a fishing net while attempting a rescue.
Sussex Police continue to appeal for witnesses. “We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was on the beach near the Fort between 14:00 and 15:00 who may have observed the sea conditions or the family’s entry into the water,” a spokesperson stated. Information can be reported online or by calling 101, quoting serial 768 of 18/08.
