A body has been discovered during the search for 11-year-old Kaliyah Coa, who went missing after falling into the River Thames two weeks ago.
Her family has been informed, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.
Kaliyah, from Beckton in east London, disappeared on 31 March after losing her footing while playing with friends on a causeway near London City Airport.
Despite an extensive search operation involving the London Ambulance Service, the London Fire Brigade, and the RNLI, she was not found at the time.
On the morning of Sunday 13 April, officers were alerted to the discovery of a body in the River Thames at Maritime Quay, in the Docklands area of east London.
Although formal identification has not yet taken place, police have shared the development with Kaliyah’s family, who are being supported by specialist officers.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officers were called at 9:03am after the body was spotted in the river. A formal update will be issued once the identification process is completed.
Family friends have expressed their heartbreak over the tragedy. One close acquaintance shared that Kaliyah’s father had previously suffered the loss of another child as a baby, making the current situation even more devastating for the family.
She also highlighted the dangers of the local waterfront, noting that as a child she herself had been warned of the risks.
The stretch of the Thames near London City Airport is known for its strong currents and hazardous conditions, particularly during tidal changes.
Maritime Quay, where the body was recovered, lies within an area featuring several causeways and access points to the water, often used recreationally but carrying significant danger without proper supervision.
The disappearance of Kaliyah Coa prompted a wave of community support, with many residents helping search efforts and sharing messages of hope on social media.
The local authorities had urged caution near waterways, especially during the Easter holidays when children were more likely to be outdoors.
Further updates are expected following the formal identification.
