Boy, 14, dies after going into water at dock

A 14-year-old boy has drowned after going into the water at a dock in east London.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) and the Metropolitan Police searched the Millwall Outer Dock near East Ferry Road after being alerted at about 18:50 BST on Monday.

His body was recovered at about 22:30 and he was pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed, police said.

In a post on social media, Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman named the teenager as Banta Sillah and said he was "a talented young footballer who played for Frontline Community FC and was instrumental in helping the team win the Tower Hamlets Cup last week".

The Met Police has not confirmed the identity of the boy.

The mayor said Banta "had immense potential and was dearly loved by his peers".

He added: "As we mourn Banta, I urge families to speak with children and young people, we should all be aware of the dangers swimming in open water.

"Swimming should only take place in officially designated areas with lifeguards present."

In July, the LFB urged Londoners to take extra care in the capital's waterways, in particular children, amid the continuing hot weather.

Since 2020 there have been more than 100 accidental drownings across the capital.

LFB assistant commissioner Patrick Goulbourne said: "Sadly, a teenager has drowned following an incident in Blackwall.

"Firefighters responded to reports of a teenager in the harbour and carried out a full search of the area.

"Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency responders, the teenager was later found dead."

London Ambulance Service confirmed it had been called at 18:53 to reports of a person in the water by East Ferry Road and its crews "assisted our emergency services partners at the scene but were later stood down".

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