Police have released an image of 11-year-old Kaliyah Coa, who vanished after reportedly falling into the River Thames in east London.
The schoolgirl was officially named on Wednesday evening, as emergency services continued an “extensive search” following the tragic incident near Barge House Causeway, North Woolwich, at approximately 1.30pm on Monday.
Authorities confirmed that Kaliyah had been playing near the river during a school inset day when she entered the water.
Recovery Efforts and Community Support
The Metropolitan Police are continuing their recovery operation along the Thames, deploying specialist teams and equipment in a wide-ranging effort to locate the young girl.
Chief Superintendent Dan Card said, “Our specialist officers are supporting Kaliyah’s family through this deeply upsetting time and our thoughts go out to all those impacted by what has happened. We are committed to finding Kaliyah and are working with partners to conduct a thorough search over a wide area – utilising drone technology and boats.”
He also expressed gratitude to the public and emergency services for their prompt action under difficult circumstances: “Equally we appreciate this has affected the wider community who have been extremely supportive. You will see extra officers in the area during the coming days. If you have any concerns then please speak to them.”
This tragic development follows our earlier coverage of the incident, where eyewitnesses described the moments leading up to Kaliyah’s disappearance.
Eyewitness Accounts and Safety Concerns
On Monday, 62-year-old local resident Kerry Benadjaoud recalled learning of the incident from her neighbour: “She was outside doing her garden and there was two little kids running, and they said ‘my friend’s in the water’.”
Benadjaoud said that by the time she reached the scene with a life ring, a man had already alerted the authorities: “But he said at the time he could see her hands going down.”
Barge House Causeway, the site where Kaliyah entered the water, is a sloping concrete path used to move boats in and out of the Thames. Residents have raised concerns that the area is slippery and appears to be covered in moss, increasing the risk of accidents.
