Police have named three members of the same family who died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham. Hassan El-Khawas, 55, Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter Sara El-Khawas are believed to have entered the water near Shoreham Fort on Tuesday, Sussex Police said.
A younger girl from the same family, who was pulled from the water with them, remains in hospital in a critical condition. Police stated the family had travelled from their London home to visit Shoreham. After reviewing CCTV footage, investigators believe the deaths were a tragic accident with no third-party involvement.
The Palestinian Forum said the family were British citizens of Palestinian origin. Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned of the dangers of open water swimming following the incident, describing it as "a terrible family tragedy".
Emergency services were called shortly before 15:00 BST on Tuesday to reports of four people in trouble in the water. Police inquiries are continuing, and a file is being prepared for the coroner.