A six-year-old girl has died in hospital days after her parents and teenage sister drowned off the Sussex coast, in a devastating family tragedy that has shocked the local community.

Saja El-Khawas was taken to hospital in a critical condition after four members of her family got into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Fort, West Sussex, on Tuesday afternoon. She died in hospital on Friday, police confirmed.

Her father, Hassan El-Khawas, 55, her mother, Zeina Alayn, 37, and her 14-year-old sister, Sara El-Khawas, died at the scene following the incident.

The family had travelled from their home in London to visit Shoreham. Police, paramedics, coastguard crews and a lifeboat were involved in the emergency response.

Sussex Police said investigators had reviewed CCTV footage and initial witness accounts. The current hypothesis is that the incident was a tragic accident with no third-party involvement, although the investigation remains open.

The deaths have prompted an outpouring of sympathy, while police have asked the public to respect the family's privacy as relatives mourn the loss of all four family members.

The tragedy has also renewed attention on the dangers of open-water swimming during Britain's summer season.