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The three family members were named by the Palestinian embassy this afternoon

Three members of the same family who died yesterday after getting into difficulty in the water off the Sussex coast have been identified as Palestinian migrants, according to the nation's embassy.

The Palestinian embassy in London today revealed the father who died alongside two family members off the coast near Shoreham was a refugee, having been named as Hossam Al-Khawas, 55.

Al-Khawas is said to have travelled from the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon and died alongside a woman and teenage girl who are related to him - his partner Zeina Alayn, 37, and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas.

Another girl, also from the same family, was pulled from the sea and remains in a critical condition.

Sussex Police believe all four entered the water for a swim, though details about the exact circumstances of the incident are not yet known.

The force added that the family, who lived in London, are understood to have been visiting Shoreham for the day when they entered the water.

Officers have said the victims' next of kin had been informed, and were being supported by specialist officers.

Floral tributes have been left at the scene, with residents speaking of their "shock" following the incident - described as an "absolute tragedy".

Shoreham RNLI was tasked by HM Coastguard at around 3pm yesterday afternoon, an RNLI spokesman said.

Several ambulances were at the scene on, as well as two air ambulances, an HM Coastguard helicopter and rescue teams from Littlehampton, Newhaven and Shoreham and the RNLI lifeboat.

The lifeboat station and shop was closed to visitors today, but the lifeboat was still on service.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tom Rutland said the community in Shoreham "will be hoping and praying for the recovery of the young girl".

Sussex Police have said the investigation into the incident "remains open, but following review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, the current hypothesis is that this was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement".

The statement says they are working with HM Coroner "to understand exactly how this incident occurred", and will provide updates "as soon as we are able, but we ask the family are given the privacy they deserve at this incredibly difficult time".

Asked during a visit to the North East if the Government needed to do more to tackle water safety, the Prime Minister replied: "Always".

Mr Burnham said: "It’s so sad to hear what happened yesterday, and obviously we think there’s a young girl still in the hospital fighting for her life, and we send our best wishes and love to wider friends and family. But a real tragedy, a real terrible family tragedy.

"There’s more that can be done. Obviously, we will look in detail at what happened. The thing I can say today, and there is still, I think, a further heatwave to come in this summer period, it is just to remind people about the dangers of open water swimming.

"The coldness, even in when it feels hot outside, it can shock people, and that can cause the the difficulties. So people just need to remember that at all times. I do need to praise the emergency services, who I know were on scene very quickly yesterday.

"They’ve had a busy summer, but they were there, and we thank them. As I say, just huge sympathy to the friends and the family."