Heartbreak as physique present in Thames seek for lacking schoolgirl, Kaliyah Coa, 11
Kaliyah Coa, 11, went missing in the River Thames on March 31 in east London and police have been searching for her body in the days since she disappeared
The family of 11-year-old Kaliyah Coa, who disappeared in the Thames have been informed that a body has been found in the river.
Kaliyah had been enjoying a school inset day when she entered the water near Barge House Causeway, close to London City Airport, in East London on Monday, March 31. Emergency services were on the scene within minutes of the call at around 1.23pm, launching a large-scale urgent search in a desperate attempt to locate the young girl.
The Metropolitan Police revealed that her family was informed that a body was found in the river on Sunday morning. A police statement released today read: “The Met was alerted to a body in the River Thames in Maritime Quay, E14 on Sunday April 13 at 9.03am.
“The body is yet to be formally identified. However, the family of Kaliyah Coa have been informed of this development and are being supported by specialist officers.”
A recovery operation was initiated along the Thames to find Kaliyah, with the Met stating in an earlier announcement that officers are “leading an extensive examination of the area”.
Barge House Causeway is a concrete slope that leads directly into the River Thames and is used for transporting boats, reports the Mirror.
Police were photographed at the scene in East London, peering into the dark waters of the Thames as they meticulously searched the river and its banks.
Some members of the public were also seen gathering on land and laying flowers near where Kaliyah entered the water.
Residents at the time voiced concerns about the slippery moss-covered area where the incident happened. Local Kerry Benadjaoud, 62, believes that young Kaliyah was “paddling” in the water and “must have slipped”.
The heartbreaking news comes just days after a search for a missing teen was called off after a body was found. The 15-year-old vanished while swimming on Friday (April 4) at around 3pm.
The teenager was out in broad daylight where he was last seen and emergency services rushed to a lake at Beckenham Place Park in Lewisham, London. The Metropolitan Police (Met) has now confirmed the search has been called off as a body has been found, reports the Mirror.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Met Police has suspended a search for a 15-year-old boy at Beckenham Place Park, following the discovery of a body.”
It continued: “Officers were called to the park shortly after 15:00hrs on Friday, 4 April following reports of a boy going missing after getting into difficulty in the water.
“Specialist diving teams were in attendance alongside the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade. A boy was recovered from the lake at around 22:42hrs on Friday, 4 April.”
The force confirmed the boy’s family had been made aware and were being supported. Officers removed police tape around the lake this afternoon (Saturday, April 5) and they have left the scene.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
