Boy, 14, drowns after going into water at Millwall dock

A tragic incident occurred in east London where a 14-year-old boy drowned after entering the water at a dock. Emergency services, including the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police, responded to the situation near Millwall Outer Dock, close to East Ferry Road, following a call at approximately 18:50 BST on Monday evening.

The search operation lasted several hours, with the boy’s body being recovered around 22:30. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have informed his family about the incident, though the Metropolitan Police have not officially released his identity.

The Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, shared on social media that the young victim was named Banta Sillah. According to the mayor, Banta was a gifted footballer who played for Frontline Community FC and had played a significant role in the team’s recent victory in the Tower Hamlets Cup. Rahman described Banta as having “immense potential” and being “dearly loved by his peers.”

In his statement, Mayor Rahman also urged families to talk with their children about the risks associated with swimming in open water. He emphasized that swimming should be restricted to officially designated areas where lifeguards are on duty to ensure safety

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More