Family Of Four Killed In Shoreham Sea Tragedy Laid To Rest In Lebanon

A family of four who died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham have been laid to rest in Lebanon.

Hassan El-Khawas, 55, Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter Sara died after getting into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Fort on 18 August.

Their six-year-old daughter Saja later died in hospital three days after the incident.

The family had travelled from their home in London to Shoreham on the day of the tragedy.

Their bodies have now been returned to Lebanon, where they were buried at the Rashidieh refugee camp, where the family originated.

The Palestinian Forum in Britain said the funeral took place following prayers at the camp's mosque.

Around £23,000 was raised to help return the family's bodies to Lebanon and support their relatives.

The Palestinian Forum in Britain said some family members had been unable to travel to the UK because of visa restrictions.

Meanwhile, tributes continue to be left at the Shoreham seafront, where flowers, cards and painted stones have been placed in memory of the family.

Emergency services were called to the sea off Shoreham Fort at around 14:40 on 18 August after reports of four people in difficulty.

Sussex Police say their investigation remains open, but that CCTV and initial witness accounts suggest the incident was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement.

A file will now be prepared for the coroner ahead of an inquest.