Body found in River Thames believed to be missing 11-year-old Kaliyah Coa
The River Thames has always been a defining part of London life, but tragically, it’s also where search crews have now discovered a body believed to be that of missing schoolgirl Kaliyah Coa. The 11-year-old went missing on 31st March after playing near the riverbank at Bargehouse Causeway, North Woolwich, during a school inset day.
Nearly two weeks later, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that a body was recovered on Sunday morning from Maritime Quay, not far from the Isle of Dogs. While formal identification is still pending, Kaliyah’s family have been informed and are being supported by officers trained to help during traumatic events.
The search effort had shifted from rescue to recovery after the first 24 hours. Despite extensive emergency service deployment, the river gave no early answers. A witness from the area recalled seeing “a coat, phone, shoes and a sock” left behind, prompting locals to call for a lifebuoy, which sadly came too late. “We tried everything we could,” said one woman who found the items. “But she was just gone.”
The area where Kaliyah vanished is used for transporting boats and features a concrete slipway into the river, something that, residents say, is often moss-covered and dangerously slick. It’s not the first time concerns have been raised about the site’s safety. “It’s not suitable for unsupervised children, especially in warmer weather when they’re drawn to the water,” one neighbour noted.
The tragedy has also reignited calls for more visible safety measures along the Thames, particularly in less commercial stretches. Charities like the Royal Life Saving Society UK provide water safety resources that could help educate families and communities about the risks that rivers like the Thames still pose, especially in urban environments.
Met Police said they were called to the scene at around 9am on Sunday, following the sighting of a body in the water. Although the confirmation process is ongoing, the signs point to a heartbreaking conclusion to the search for Kaliyah Coa.
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