Three from Palestinian British family drown off Sussex coast
Emergency services responded to a drowning incident near Shoreham-by-Sea during a European heatwave, prompting the Prime Minister to issue warnings on open water safety.
Three members of a Palestinian British family have drowned after entering the sea off the Sussex coast near Shoreham-by-Sea. The Palestinian embassy in London confirmed the deaths on Wednesday, one day after the incident occurred near Shoreham Fort.
The victims were identified as Hossam al-Khawas, a Palestinian refugee from the Rashidieh Camp in southern Lebanon, a woman, and a teenage girl. A younger girl was also recovered from the water and taken to hospital in critical condition.
Emergency services, including police, paramedics, coastguard crews, and a lifeboat, were deployed to the scene where four people were pulled from the sea. The Palestinian mission in the United Kingdom stated that it is closely monitoring the incident and working with British authorities to ascertain the circumstances and check on the condition of the injured girl.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the event as a “terrible family tragedy” and used the occasion to warn of the dangers of open water swimming. He extended his best wishes and love to the family and friends of the deceased, as well as the girl who remains in critical condition.
The incident has occurred against a backdrop of rising drowning rates across Europe, where individuals are seeking relief from an ongoing heatwave. Similar incidents have been reported in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Experts have noted that open-water swimming carries hidden risks, including cold water shock, strong currents, and sudden changes in depth. These factors contribute to the increased danger for swimmers in such conditions.
