The search for a seven-year-old British girl missing after being swept out to sea in Morocco has been hampered again by adverse weather conditions. Inaayah Makda, from Blackburn, was sitting on rocks with her parents at a Casablanca beach when a large wave hit them on January 28. Her parents, Zubair and Tasneem, were also knocked into the water and lost sight of their daughter.
In an update, Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain said that sea search operations were suspended last week due to a storm, and that land-based searches continue. He expressed gratitude for the compassion and solidarity shown towards Inaayah's family. He confirmed that search and rescue efforts are ongoing, as verified by the Civil Protection Team and the Foreign Office.
Inaayah's parents have described their world as 'forever changed', with every minute filled with unbearable pain, fear, and hope. They expressed concern over limited practical support from UK authorities, stating that they have had to rely heavily on local volunteers and private efforts. They described Inaayah as a 'bright, loving, and gentle little girl' and hope that she has reached safety, or that they can bring her home with dignity.
A fundraising appeal to pay for a private search and essential family expenses has raised more than £61,000. MP Hussain is due to meet with the Moroccan Ambassador to discuss further assistance once weather conditions permit the resumption of sea-based search operations.
