Palestinian refugee and two relatives drown off English coast | Migration News
Three Drown Off Sussex Coast; Fourth in Critical Condition
Published on August 19, 2026
Three members of a Palestinian British family drowned off the coast of Sussex, England, on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian embassy in London.
The tragedy occurred while the family was swimming near Shoreham Fort in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. Confirmation of the deaths was provided by the embassy on Wednesday, following the incident.
The deceased include Hossam al-Khawas, who was a Palestinian refugee from the Rashidieh Camp in southern Lebanon, a report from the Press Association noted. A woman and a teenage girl were also pronounced dead at the scene. A younger girl was rescued and subsequently taken to a hospital where she remains in critical condition.
Emergency responders, including police, paramedics, coastguard crews, and a lifeboat, were dispatched to assist in the rescue efforts. Four individuals were reportedly pulled from the water.
In a statement, the Palestinian embassy expressed its commitment to monitoring the situation closely and is in contact with relevant British authorities to investigate the circumstances of the drowning and to obtain updates on the injured girl’s condition.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the incident on Wednesday, calling it “a terrible family tragedy.” He also extended his condolences to the family and friends affected by the loss and wished the injured girl a swift recovery.
This incident highlights growing concerns regarding water safety, particularly as drownings have increased across Europe during the ongoing heatwave. Experts have cautioned that open-water swimming poses risks, including cold water shock, strong currents, and sudden depth changes.
