Shoreham drowning kills three family members

Three members of the same family drowned off Shoreham-by-Sea on England's south coast, and a fourth family member remained in hospital in critical condition, police said Wednesday.

Sussex Police named the dead as Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter Sara El-Khawas. Police said they were confirmed dead at the scene after being pulled from the water.

A younger girl who was also part of the family remained in hospital in critical condition.

The incident happened Tuesday at a beach in Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex and prompted a rescue operation involving police, paramedics, coastguard crews and a lifeboat.

PA news agency, citing the Palestinian embassy in London, reported that Hassan El-Khawas was a Palestinian refugee from the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon. Police said the family were believed to have travelled to Shoreham from their home in London.

The exact circumstances were under investigation. Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged people to remember the dangers of open-water swimming during hot weather, saying cold water can shock people even when it feels hot outside.