Tragedy Strikes Shoreham-on-Sea: Palestinian Refugee Family Perishes in Heroic Rescue Attempt
SHOREHAM-ON-SEA, UK – August 19, 2026 – A pall of grief hangs heavy over the serene coastal town of Shoreham-on-Sea following a heartbreaking incident yesterday that saw three members of a Palestinian refugee family tragically lose their lives in a desperate attempt to save a younger girl caught in the treacherous waters. The deceased have been identified as Hossam Al-Khawas, a father from the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon, his partner Zeina Alyan, and their teenage daughter. A younger girl from the same family remains in critical condition in hospital.
The devastating event unfolded yesterday afternoon, prompting a massive emergency operation involving Sussex Police, His Majesty’s Coastguard, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). At approximately 2:40 PM, emergency services received reports of four individuals in distress near Shoreham Fort. Despite swift action and all four being brought ashore, the valiant efforts of rescuers were ultimately in vain for three of the family members.
The Palestinian embassy has officially confirmed the identity of the father, Hossam Al-Khawas. Reports from witnesses suggest that the tragedy began when one of the younger children became entangled in fishing netting. Local resident Joe Chrisp, 24, recounted, "One of the local fishermen said it was two adults, two kids. One of the kids apparently got caught in a fishing net." It is believed that Hossam, Zeina, and their teenage daughter heroically entered the water to rescue the struggling child, only to succumb to the dangerous conditions themselves.
Chief Superintendent James Collis of Sussex Police addressed the incident, stating, "At around 2:40 PM this afternoon, emergency services were called to reports of four people in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort. Sussex Police officers supported His Majesty’s Coastguard and the RNLI, as all four people were brought ashore."
The tight-knit community of Shoreham-on-Sea is reeling from the shock. Neha Patel, owner of the Beach Shop, a business located near the site of the incident, expressed her disbelief to the BBC. She stated that she had "not ever" heard of such a tragedy occurring in the usually "very quiet" area. "I think it’s a shock to everyone around here. I hope the one girl in the hospital gets better," she added, reflecting the collective hope for the surviving child.
Joss Loader, a local resident and representative of the Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association on Adur District Council, conveyed the profound impact on the community. "There’s just a really strong sense of shock, obviously people are really concerned for the young girl," Loader told the Press Association. "A small tightly knit community with a very deep sense of shock and that sense of disbelief you get after a tragedy because it has come out of nowhere."
The tragic loss of life underscores the unpredictable dangers of the sea, even in seemingly calm environments. The community now unites in mourning for the Palestinian refugee father and his family, while anxiously awaiting updates on the condition of the critically ill young girl. Investigations into the precise circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.
