Girl Dies After Being Pulled From Sea in Shoreham-by-Sea
Six-year-old Saja El-Khawas, a Palestinian refugee, succumbed to injuries following a tragic incident near Shoreham Fort.
Callum Smith
A six-year-old girl died in hospital on Friday after being pulled from the sea in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex.
Police, paramedics, and coastguard crews launched a significant operation after reports of individuals struggling in the water around 2pm.
A youngster involved in the incident remained in critical condition, a law firm representing the hospital and the Palestinian Forum in Britain confirmed.
Sussex Police are actively investigating the incident, having reviewed CCTV footage and initial witness accounts.
Authorities currently believe the deaths represent a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement suspected.
The Palestinian embassy confirmed Hassan El-Khawas, a family member, was a refugee from Lebanon's Rashidieh Camp.
Floral tributes have since appeared on the beach at Shoreham-by-Sea.
Separately, the Palestinian Forum in Britain and Sara's school in Ealing also paid their respects.
The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy.
James Collis stated, "The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy."
Public warnings have been renewed regarding the inherent dangers of open water swimming.
These warnings highlight how cold water temperatures can shock swimmers, even during periods of warm weather.