A 14-year-old boy drowned in Millwall Outer Dock in east London after going into the water on Monday. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) and the Metropolitan Police searched the area near East Ferry Road after being alerted at about 18:50 BST, and his body was recovered at about 22:30. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and police said his family have been informed.
In a post on social media, Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman named the teenager as Banta Sillah and said he was
"a talented young footballer who played for Frontline Community FC and was instrumental in helping the team win the Tower Hamlets Cup last week". The Met Police has not confirmed the identity of the boy.
The mayor said Banta
"had immense potential and was dearly loved by his peers". He added:
"As we mourn Banta, I urge families to speak with children and young people, we should all be aware of the dangers swimming in open water.
"Swimming should only take place in officially designated areas with lifeguards present."
What have emergency services said?
The London Fire Brigade said firefighters responded to reports of a teenager in the harbour and carried out a full search of the area. LFB assistant commissioner Patrick Goulbourne said:
"Sadly, a teenager has drowned following an incident in Blackwall."
"Firefighters responded to reports of a teenager in the harbour and carried out a full search of the area.
"Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency responders, the teenager was later found dead."
London Ambulance Service confirmed it had been called at 18:53 to reports of a person in the water by East Ferry Road and said its crews
"assisted our emergency services partners at the scene but were later stood down".
What wider warning has been issued?
In July, the LFB urged Londoners to take extra care in the capital's waterways, in particular children, amid the continuing hot weather. Since 2020 there have been more than 100 accidental drownings across the capital.
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