Community gathers for vigil after Shoreham water tragedy claims life of fourth family member
A Shoreham vigil has been held to remember the four members of a family, who died after getting into difficulty in the sea.
The vigil took place on Saturday (August 22), as the town came together to remember those who lost their lives in the water, with a minute’s silence held in their memory.
The gathering came on the 11th anniversary of the Shoreham air crash, with the community remembering both tragedies.
Adur District Council leader Jeremy Gardner said, in a social media post: “It is a mark of the humanity and compassion of our community that so many people attended events today in memory of those who died in two terrible tragedies: the Shoreham air disaster and the deaths of four members of the El-Khawas family in our waters.
“Our thoughts today must be with the friends and relatives of those who died. We must also remember that each and every one of those who passed will have left good memories of their lives for those who knew them.”
Councillor Gardner said a minute’s silence, accompanied by 'muffled bells' from St Mary de Haura church, had given local people an opportunity to reflect on those who died and their friends and relatives.
He thanked Adur markets staff for organising the event.
The vigil came after Sussex Police confirmed that six-year-old Saja El-Khawas had died in hospital following Tuesday’s tragedy.
Emergency services were called to the sea off Shoreham Fort at around 2.40pm on Tuesday, August 18, after receiving reports of four people in difficulty in the water.
Sussex Police said Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his wife, Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter Sara El-Khawas all died at the scene.
Saja, the daughter of Hassan and Zeina and sister to Sara, was taken to hospital in a critical condition but was later confirmed deceased.
Police said the family had travelled from their home in London to visit Shoreham and entered the water from the beach at Shoreham Fort at about 2pm.
A significant emergency service response followed, involving HM Coastguard, the RNLI, South East Coast Ambulance Service and police.
Police said their investigation remains open, but following a review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, the current hypothesis is that the incident was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement.
Enquiries will continue and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner ahead of an inquest.
Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “This heartbreaking update is one we all feared in the aftermath of Tuesday’s tragic events. I cannot imagine the devastation felt by the wider family of Hassan, Zeina, Sara and Saja after this loss. On behalf of everyone at Sussex Police, I extend our thoughts and heartfelt condolences.
“The impact of this tragedy has been felt across the country, and I know the Shoreham community, emergency responders and all involved will continue to be affected for a long time to come.”
He also asked that the family and their loved ones be allowed to grieve in privacy.