Father's Harrowing Account of Daughter Swept Away in Moroccan Sea Tragedy
A devastated father has described how the ocean surrounded his family "within seconds" before his young daughter was swept out to sea during a holiday in Morocco. Inaayah Makda, aged seven and from Blackburn, Lancashire, was standing with her parents on rocks at a Casablanca beach when a powerful wave struck them on January 28.
"Water Came Gushing Really Fast"
In an emotional video shared on social media, her father Zubair Makda recounted the traumatic incident. He explained that the "water came gushing really fast" and "surrounded us as it came behind us." The family had landed in Rabat and travelled to Casablanca for a two-day visit to a mosque as part of a five-day holiday. Tragically, Inaayah went missing on the very first day of their trip.
Zubair detailed that moments before the wave hit, he was praying at a nearby cafe before going to find his wife and daughter. He located them standing on rocks, which he believed was the only "safe place" available, approximately 50 to 60 metres from the shoreline.
Last Sight of His Daughter
"Suddenly within seconds water came gushing, extremely fast and it surrounded us and it came behind us. We had nowhere to go. Our only safe place was the rocks. So we stood on the rocks," Zubair said. He added, "I looked at Inaayah and I glanced at her and that was my last sight of her. Within seconds the water came and took us out." In total, eight people were dragged into the sea by the forceful wave.
Zubair described being in the water for over a minute, feeling as though he was going to die. He managed to get up after crashing into another rock and then rescued his wife, Tasneem, from the sea. Immediately, they began searching for Inaayah but could not find her. "And at that point it was devastating," he expressed.
Search Operation Hampered by Weather
A massive search operation was launched by Moroccan authorities but was hampered by bad weather conditions. The search was eventually called off with no sign of Inaayah found. Zubair has thanked everyone who supported the family and assisted in the search for his "bright, loving and gentle little girl."
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by coastal waves, even in seemingly calm conditions. The family's holiday turned into a nightmare within moments, leaving them heartbroken and desperate for closure. Community efforts and international attention have highlighted the risks associated with beach safety, particularly on unfamiliar shores.
