A devastating search for a missing nine-year-old girl has ended in tragedy after her body was discovered in the River Thames. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the heartbreaking find, which followed a large-scale operation involving multiple emergency service teams.
The child was reported missing on Tuesday afternoon, prompting an immediate and extensive response. Officers from the Met's Marine Policing Unit were deployed to search the river, a operation that continued into the evening.
Tragically, the search concluded when the young girl's body was recovered from the water near Westminster. The area was cordoned off as a crime scene while forensic teams began their crucial work to establish the exact circumstances leading to this unthinkable loss.
While formal identification is yet to take place, police have informed the child's family of the development. They are being supported by specially trained officers during this unimaginably difficult time.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated: "We are supporting the family of the young girl as they come to terms with this devastating news. Our thoughts are with them."
The force has emphasised that its investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the incident remains active and ongoing. Officers are working to piece together a timeline of events and are appealing for any witnesses or individuals with information to come forward.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising profound concerns about child safety near waterways. The death is currently being treated as unexplained, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted in due course to determine the cause of death.
