The Fourth of July weekend, typically a time of celebration and joy, turned into a devastating tragedy for a Bronx family when two teenage sisters drowned off Coney Island. The girls, Aisha Mohammed, 18, and Zainab Mohammed, 17, had ventured into the ocean for a final swim of the day when they disappeared from view around 8:10 p.m. on Friday, near Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn.

A police spokesman reported that the sisters were found on the shoreline at 9:15 p.m. and were rushed to Coney Island Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. This tragic incident unfolded as the family was trying to enjoy one of their few beach outings, as it was only the girls’ second time visiting the beach.

“They were just trying to have fun out there,” said their uncle, Tahir Mohammed, 48, in an interview with The Post. “They thought they were just gonna have their last swim and come out.” The family’s sorrow was palpable outside their grandmother’s home in the Bronx, where around a dozen family members and friends gathered on Saturday to mourn and support each other.

Julia Mohammed, 20, a cousin, recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the tragedy. Aisha had seen her younger sister Zainab struggling in the water and, without hesitation, went in to help her. Despite Aisha’s brave attempt, both sisters were overcome by the strong currents. One of their male cousins also jumped into the water in an attempt to save them but was unable to reach the sisters in time.

“They were hanging out with a group of about 12 other people enjoying a sunny day at the popular beach when the skies suddenly opened up in a heavy downpour,” cousin Adam Mohammed explained. The sudden change in weather contributed to the dangerous conditions that led to the girls being swept out to sea.

Adam described the frantic rescue attempt, stating that his brother, who tried to save the sisters, was torn about whom to help first. “He reached for the one closest to him and she started panicking, so she started dragging him down with her. By the time he managed to get to the surface, the two were long gone,” he said.

The loss of Aisha and Zainab has left a profound void in their family. Aisha, who had just started working at Panera Bread, was known as the family hair stylist, always ready to help her loved ones with their hair. Zainab, who worked in child care, was equally cherished for her caring nature. Their mother, Tani Ibrahim Ali, was too grief-stricken to speak and remained upstairs in their apartment, overwhelmed by the loss of her daughters.

Nadia Sadat, a 17-year-old high school student and friend of the sisters, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of her friends. “It really hurt me that they really died. I wish I was with them, too, because I’m so sad to lose my friends and stuff,” she said, struggling to cope with the tragedy.

The Mohammed family, originally from Ghana, has been living in New York City for decades. Despite the hardships they have faced, this loss is unparalleled. The sisters’ deaths have added to the growing number of drownings in New York City this summer. On June 21, two teenage boys were swept away off Jacob Riis Park in the Rockaways, Queens, and later found dead.

Lifeguards at Coney Island are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., as per the city’s Department of Parks. Swimming outside these hours is prohibited, a rule that underscores the importance of adhering to safety guidelines. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of swimming in the ocean, especially outside of supervised hours.

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The Mohammed family plans to hold a memorial service for Aisha and Zainab early next week. The family and community continue to grapple with the sudden and heartbreaking loss of two young lives full of promise and potential.