The search for Kaliyah Coa, the 11-year-old girl who fell into the River Thames near Barge House Causeway, has now entered its fifth day. Despite extensive efforts, the young girl remains missing since she was last seen entering the water on March 31 at around 1:23 pm.
Kaliyah was playing during a school inset day near London City Airport when the tragic incident occurred. Emergency services were alerted to the scene after her friends raised the alarm, shouting and screaming for help.
Community Shock and Reactions
Local residents, including Shaleen Rajaendram, 59, reported hearing frantic calls from children. Speaking to UKNIP, Rajaendram said:
I heard upstairs a guy was screaming ‘wait there, wait, the police is coming’. The man was on a balcony overlooking the river. Then I saw two kids coming out to the top of the bridge, and they said ‘one of my friends was playing in the water, one of my friends has gone into the water and she’s gone underneath and we can’t find her’.”
Another resident, Naomi Howard, voiced her concerns about safety in the area:
“I’m very upset. Even though it’s not my child, it could have been my child. There’s no safety for the children. If they did want to come paddling down here, there’s no safety.”
Search Efforts and Continuing Commitment
The Metropolitan Police has vowed to continue the search, with Chief Superintendent Dan Card, local policing commander for north east London, stating:
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.
Despite scaling down the initial large-scale response, officers are still actively searching the River Thames and surrounding areas. Extra officers will remain on-site in the coming days to offer support and reassurance to the community.
Safety Concerns Raised
The tragedy has sparked debates about water safety, particularly at the Barge House Causeway. Residents have criticized the lack of warning signs on the slippery slipway and the absence of barriers or safety measures.
Local authorities have been urged to review safety protocols in areas accessible to children, especially given the high water levels and moss-covered surfaces that make the slipway hazardous.
Public Support and Assistance
The community has shown overwhelming support for Kaliyah’s family, with many expressing their hope for a positive outcome.
Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact the Metropolitan Police via 101 or speak to officers on-site.
For now, Kaliyah’s family continues to hope for her safe return, while the community rallies to support them during this harrowing time.
