The parents of a seven-year-old British girl who was swept out to sea during a family holiday in Morocco have spoken of their "unbearable pain" as the desperate search for their daughter continues amid challenging conditions.
Family's Holiday Turns to Tragedy
Inaayah Makda, from Blackburn in Lancashire, disappeared on Wednesday evening while watching the sunset with her family on the coast near Casablanca. The tragedy occurred on the very first day of what was supposed to be a week-long holiday in the north African country.
The young girl was sitting on rocks at a beach in the coastal city when she and her family became unexpectedly surrounded by rapidly incoming water. Inaayah was knocked into the sea along with several relatives, who all managed to make it back to safety.
Desperate Search Efforts
Inaayah's parents, Tasneem and Zubair Makda, who also fell into the water before losing sight of their daughter, spent hours calling out her name and walking up and down the beach in a frantic search that proved unsuccessful.
"We hold on to hope that she may have reached safety somewhere along the coastline," the grieving parents stated, while revealing that the official search operation has been significantly hampered in recent days by "severe weather and rough seas."
The family has expressed frustration with the local response, stating they have been "forced to rely heavily on local volunteers and private efforts" in their attempts to find Inaayah. While authorities have told them their case is being monitored, this has not translated into tangible action according to the distressed family.
Father Recalls Terrifying Moments
Speaking to UCTV, a Blackburn-based broadcaster, Inaayah's father Zubair recalled the terrifying incident: "We were just on rocks that were about half a metre high. The tide suddenly swept everyone out."
"Inaayah was on the rock behind me. We got swept to the right and she got swept to the left. I did not see where Inaayah was, as she got swept away so quickly. I couldn't find her at all."
The father expressed his frustration with local authorities, stating: "We are trying to get help, because the police here are useless. They are not doing anything."
A relative explained that the tide appeared to be a long way out when the family first arrived at the coast, but came in rapidly within roughly twenty minutes, catching everyone completely by surprise.
Community Support and Fundraising
The family has launched a GoFundMe appeal to cover the costs of a private search operation, including boat hire, aerial support, and translation services. The campaign has so far raised an impressive £61,000 from concerned well-wishers.
The appeal reads: "As many of you may have seen, our beautiful seven-year-old niece Inaya has gone missing after being swept out to sea on the first day of her family holiday in Morocco. This is an unimaginably distressing time for her parents and loved ones."
It continues: "We are urgently asking for your kind support and donations to help cover the costs of the ongoing search efforts, including private boat hire, aerial support, as well as essential family expenses such as translator support, emergency travel, and other unforeseen costs."
Local Figures Express Support
Salim Sidat, councillor for Audley and Queens Park, told the Lancashire Telegraph: "This is a devastating situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with Inaayah and her family. Let's come together as a community with love and generosity. Please donate if you're able and share this fundraiser – every act of kindness counts."
Adnan Hussain, the MP for Blackburn, expressed his heartbreak in a social media post: "I am heartbroken by the news that seven-year-old Inaayah from Blackburn has been swept away by a wave while on holiday in Casablanca. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this unimaginably painful time."
He added: "The whole community in Blackburn is holding Inaayah and her loved ones in their prayers, and I will continue to do all I can to support the family during this devastating time."
A neighbour of the family described Inaayah, a pupil at Roe Lee Park Primary School in Blackburn, as a "lovely, bubbly, cheeky little girl," highlighting the profound loss felt by those who knew her.
The family's statement poignantly captures their ongoing anguish: "Every minute is filled with unbearable pain" as they continue to hope for their daughter's safe return while facing the immense challenges of coordinating an international search during a personal crisis.
