Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Anger as tributes paid to Camber Sands beach victims

The grieving father of two brothers who died in Sussex on the hottest day of the year last week, along with three of their friends, has said the men may have lived if lifeguards had been on patrol

at the beach.


Arumukam Saththiyanathan questioned why no safety measures had been brought in following the death of a 19-year-old man on the same beach in July.

He said: “I brought my children from Sri Lanka because it is not safe back there. But there were no lifeguards on the beach where they died. If there had been, my sons would have at least had a

fighting chance of survival.”

The tragedy unfolded in Camber Sands where the group, who were all of Sri Lankan descent, travelled from south-east London last Wednesday (24). It is believed they got into difficulties during a

game of football on a sandbar where they are thought to have become cut off by a strong tide.

The men were named as Nitharsan Ravi, 22; Inthushan Sriskantharasa, 23; brothers Kobikanthan, 22, and Kenigan Nathan, 19; and Kurushanth Srithavarajah, 27.

The group travelled to the coast in Ravi’s car for the day trip. His brother Ajirthan said: “It has been a very hard time for us and especially for the parents of the other four victims, because they treat us the same way as their kids – that’s how it works between us.”

He said his brother – a University of Brighton aeronautical engineering student – was a “supportive” and “very talented” man who would be missed by many.

Ravi’s younger sister Mayura, 17, said her brother had always been very protective of her, adding: “I want him back because it just feels like a dream. It doesn’t feel real.”

Charles Bosco, who attended Tamil school with Ravi when they were both children, told Eastern Eye: “We were family friends. He was a nice guy, he was a quiet guy. Whenever I would see him he

would come over and talk to me. They are a really nice family. When my mum told me, I was like ‘what, no way.’ I was in shock really. He was one of the good guys in life, always positive.”

Bosco said Ravi’s family were preparing for the funeral which would take place on Sunday (4).

Keen footballer and cricketer Kurushanth Srithavarajah, 26, known as ‘Kuru’ to his friends, worked in a Tesco Express for the past six years and studied at Newham University Centre. He

would have turned 27 two days later.

Kenigan ‘Ken’ Nathan, from Slade Green, was the youngest victim. He was a former Bexleyheath Academy student.

Ajirthan, 19, said police visited the family home at 11pm last Wednesday as his brother’s Golf GTI was one of the only vehicles left in the car park.

“They were assuming the five passengers of the car were the five people they found,” he said. “We were distraught, we were so upset. It took a while for the police to verify the exact people. Then,

about four hours later, they confirmed it was my brother and his four friends.”

He said the emergency services had told the family that Ken and Sriskantharasa had got into difficulty first, getting trapped in quicksand or mud beneath the water. Then his brother, Kobi Nathan and Kuru had tried to rescue them.

“Ken and Indu got stuck underneath the water,” he said. “The three boys tried to save them. They went underwater to try to save them.”

However, their attempts failed and Kuru was brought out first and declared dead straight away, he revealed.

“My bro and Kobi had heartbeats and managed to survive for a few minutes, but after first aid they couldn’t recover.”

Both died within 15 minutes after being pulled from the water, he said.

The bodies of Ken Nathan and Sriskantharasa were discovered later that evening, he said, adding that he thought they had got their legs caught in the “slippery mud” and sand on the sea bottom.

He added his brother had known the other four since they were five years old. “My brother knew Kuru through sport. They played football and cricket together. He had been friends with Kobi

since secondary school. They were very close. They also went to university together.

“Kobi and Ken’s parents have lost both their children. I’m devastated for everyone. I knew all the men. They were good innocent people who have lost their lives. They had just gone down for

a day at the beach, like normal people. And unfortunately this happened.”

Members of the public and the emergency services tried to save the men when the first alert came in just after 2.10pm.

Rescuer Deven Small said: “I walked over to the scene and I could see a few people holding someone but his head kept on going in and out of the water.

“I ran in and helped to carry him in. Adrenaline kicks in. I didn’t want to, you’re talking about someone’s life on the line.

“It’s not the nicest thing to see in the world, to see someone die in front of you.”

Almost 8,000 supporters have signed an online petition calling for lifeguards at Camber Sands.

It states: “Camber Sands gets unbelievably busy during summer time. They have beach patrol but no lifeguards … it could save lives.”

A Rother District Council spokesman said: “Our beach patrols are on site throughout the summer and are able to advise people of potential dangers, reunite lost children and deal with any incidents

on the beach.

The police and crime commissioner for Sussex, Katy Bourne, said: “We do need to get together to see if further improvements need to be made [to safety at the beach].

“We need to find the best answer. I don’t know if lifeguards are the answer.”

In July, 19-year-old Brazilian Gustavo Silva Da Cruz was one of three men who got into trouble while swimming at the beach. The other two, who were not connected to him, were a man aged 35

and his 17-year-old son.

A major search and rescue mission, which included a coastguard helicopter, was launched last Sunday (28) on Camber Sands after a pair of flipflops was found on the beach, near where a

woman had been seen diving into the sea, but she was not seen coming out of the water. The search was later called off after the swimmer was found.

A spokeswoman for the coastguard service said the individual had been tracked down, having left the beach, and was safe and well.

More For You

Police officers

Police officers stand guard between an anti fascist group and Tommy Robinson supporters during an anti-immigration rally organised by British anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, in London, Britain, September 13, 2025.

REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

UK defends France migrant returns deal after court blocks first removal

THE British government has defended its new migrant returns deal with France after a High Court ruling temporarily blocked the deportation of an Eritrean asylum seeker, marking an early legal setback to the scheme.

The 25-year-old man, who arrived in Britain on a small boat from France on August 12, was due to be placed on an Air France flight from Heathrow to Paris on Wednesday (17) morning. But on Tuesday (16), Judge Clive Sheldon granted an interim injunction, saying there was a “serious issue to be tried” over his claim to be a victim of trafficking.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

Dr Amal Bose. (Photo: Lancashire Police)

Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

AN ASIAN senior heart surgeon, who abused his position to sexually assault female members of staff, has been jailed for six years.

Dr Amal Bose, from Lancaster, was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault against five colleagues at Blackpool Victoria Hospital between 2017 and 2022. He was cleared of two other charges.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.

Reuters

Trump greets Modi on 75th birthday, trade talks continue in Delhi

Highlights:

  • Both leaders reaffirm commitment to India-US partnership
  • Trade talks resume in New Delhi amid tariff tensions
  • India defends purchase of discounted Russian oil

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday called Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and greeted him ahead of his 75th birthday. The phone call sparked hopes of a reset in India-US ties, which had been under strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Forecasters say 30–40mm of rain is likely to fall widely

iStock

Met Office issues yellow weather warnings as heavy rain threatens flooding in 15 UK areas

Highlights:

  • Two yellow weather warnings issued for parts of Wales and the Midlands
  • Up to 70mm of rain expected, bringing risk of flooding, power cuts and travel delays
  • Flood alerts in place for rivers in Cumbria, Devon, Cornwall and Carmarthenshire
  • Residents advised to prepare emergency kits and stay updated with forecasts

Heavy rainfall set to cause disruption

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings covering parts of Wales and the Midlands today, with forecasters warning of potential flooding, travel disruption and power cuts. Between 6am and 11am, persistent downpours are expected to sweep eastwards, bringing nearly a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours.

Areas under warning

South and southwest Wales are expected to be worst affected, with Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd and Powys in the Midlands also on alert. In Wales, warnings apply to Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Donald Trump and Melania Trump

Donald Trump and Melania Trump exit Air Force One after arriving at London Stansted Airport for a state visit on September 16, 2025 in Stansted, Essex.

Getty Images

UK rolls out royal welcome as Trump begins second state visit

Highlights:

  • Trump begins his second state visit to the UK with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle
  • Prince William, Catherine, King Charles and Queen Camilla take part in ceremony
  • State banquet and trade talks with prime minister Keir Starmer scheduled
  • Protests and security operation mark visit amid political challenges

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump began his unprecedented second state visit to Britain on Wednesday with a lavish welcome from King Charles and the royal family at Windsor Castle.

Keep ReadingShow less