Body found in search for 11-year-old girl who went missing in the Thames

13 April 2025, 16:37 | Updated: 13 April 2025, 17:11

Kaliyah Coa, 11, was reportedly down at the water when she was 'swept away'
Kaliyah Coa, 11, was reportedly down at the water when she was 'swept away'. Picture: Alamy / LBC

By Kit Heren

The family of an 11-year-old girl who went missing in the Thames in March have been told that a body has been found in the river, police have said.

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The body is yet to be formally identified, the force added but said Kaliyah Coa's family were being supported by specialist officers.

Kaliyah had been paddling in London on a day off school on March 31, before disappearing into the water.

She had been playing near the water with a young boy and girl, local residents said.

Read more: Pictured: Missing 11-year-old 'swept away' while paddling in the River Thames

Read more: Missing girl, 11, who 'fell in River Thames while paddling' named - as search continues

Barge House Causeway
Barge House Causeway. Picture: Alamy

Police were called to reports that the girl had entered the river close to Barge House Causeway, near London City Airport, at about 1.15pm on Monday.

Emergency services launched a "large-scale response" to the incident, the Met said.

Police said on Sunday that officers were alerted to a body found in the river in Maritime Quay near the Isle of Dogs in east London, at about 9am.

Other children who were playing had said a girl had disappeared in the water and they could not find her.

Kerry Benadjaoud, 62, said she had taken a life ring down to the water but could not see the girl.

Barge House Causeway is a concrete slope that goes directly into the River Thames and is used to transport boats.

Residents pointed out that it appeared to be covered in moss and is slippery.