"Unimaginable loss": 3 family members drown while swimming, teenage girl rescued

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

• One of the victims has been identified as Hossam Al-Khawas, a refugee from the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon

• Al-Khawas died alongside a woman and a teenage girl, both relatives, after the family got into difficulty in the water off Shoreham, West Sussex

• A fourth family member, a young girl, was pulled from the sea and remains in critical condition in hospital

Three members of the same family drowned on Tuesday after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex, with a fourth family member pulled from the water and hospitalised in a critical condition.

The Palestinian Embassy in London has confirmed to the BBC that one of those who died was Hossam Al-Khawas, a Palestinian refugee originally from the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon.

He died alongside a woman and a teenage girl, both of whom were related to him. The embassy said it was unable to confirm the identities of the other family members at this stage.

Sussex Police believe the family had entered the water for a swim before the situation turned fatal. The exact circumstances leading to the incident and the ages of those involved have not yet been confirmed by authorities.

Community Reacts to the Tragedy

Neha Patel, owner of the Beach Shop situated near where the incident unfolded, described learning of the deaths as deeply distressing.

"I think it's a shock to everyone around here. I hope the one girl in the hospital gets better," she said,

Patel added that she was "still shaking" and had "not ever" witnessed anything similar in what she described as a "very quiet" area.

Local councillor Joss Loader, who chairs the Shoreham Beach Residents' Association, paid tribute to the emergency response following what she called a "tragic" incident.

Writing on Facebook, Loader said her thoughts and prayers were with those who had lost family members and with "the young girl undergoing hospital treatment." She added that the emergency response had been phenomenal.

"We would like to pay special tribute to the emergency services and volunteers, who work tirelessly and play such a vital role locally."

Sussex Yacht Club also offered its condolences, expressing that its thoughts were with the family and friends now facing "an unimaginable loss" following the "heart-breaking" incident.

As of the latest available information, there has been no update on the condition of the young girl who was rescued from the sea and taken to hospital in a critical state.

Authorities have not released further details regarding her medical situation or the identities of the other family members who lost their lives.

Seven die in helicopter crash

We also highlighted facts about the tragic helicopter crash at the foot of Mt Ololokwe in Samburu County, Kenya, which resulted in the deaths of all seven occupants.

The loss of these individuals, including the pilot and six passengers, has left the country mourning as their identities are revealed amidst the devastation.

The helicopter, registered as 5Y-GYM, was transporting a group of tourists drawn to the sacred mountain's beauty, emphasising the profound impact of this incident on both families and the broader community.

As investigations begin, questions arise regarding the cause of the crash and the safety measures for air travel in such popular tourist destinations.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.