The parents of a missing girl who was swept out to sea in Morocco say ‘every minute is filled with unbearable pain’ as the search continues for the young Brit.
Inaayah Makda, seven, from Blackburn, Lancashire, was sucked into the ocean as she and her family watched the sunset on the coast near Casablanca. It was the first day of their week-long holiday to the north African country.
The schoolgirl was sitting on rocks at a beach in the coastal city on Wednesday when she and her family became surrounded by water.
Inaayah was knocked into the water along with several relatives, who all made it back out.
The family spent hours calling out her name and walking up and down the beach but to no avail.
Tasneem and Zubair Makda, who also fell into the water before losing sight of her have now said: ‘We hold on to hope that she may have reached safety somewhere along the coastline.’
They added that the search operation had been hampered in recent days by ‘severe weather and rough seas’.
A statement by Inaayah’s parents said they had been ‘forced to rely heavily on local volunteers and private efforts’ as they tried to find her.
Inaayah Makda (pictured), seven, was sitting on rocks at a beach in the coastal city of Casablanca, Morocco, on Wednesday when she and her family became surrounded by water
They stated that while they had been told that their case was being monitored, that had not translated into tangible action.
Speaking to the BBC, they further added that it should not fall solely on a grieving family to navigate complex international systems during a crisis.
Inaayah’s father, Zubair, recalled the incident on UCTV, a Blackburn-based broadcaster. He said: ‘We were just on rocks [that] were… 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. We are trying to get help, because the police here are… useless. They are not doing anything.’
A relative told the broadcaster the tide appeared to be a long way out when the family first arrived on the coast, but came in within roughly 20 minutes – catching them all by surprise.
Inaayah’s family have launched a GoFundMe appeal which will cover the cost of a private search, including boat hire, aerial support and a translator. As of Sunday nighht, they had raised more than £61,000.
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.
A neighbour of the family described Inaayah, a pupil at Roe Lee Park Primary School in the Lancashire town, as a ‘lovely, bubbly, cheeky little girl’
Several members of Inaayah’s family were also swept into the water with her, though they made it back out (File image of a Morocco beach)
‘This is an unimaginably distressing time for her parents and loved ones.
‘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.
‘These include translator support, emergency travel, and other unforeseen costs arising from the search and coordination with local authorities.
‘At present, many of these costs are being met privately by the family, and we are coming together to do everything possible to support them during this critical time.
‘Every single penny truly counts and will go directly towards supporting the search for Inaya and the family’s immediate needs.
‘Please continue to keep Inaya and her family in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time.’
On Friday, Salim Sidat, councillor for Audley and Queens Park, told Lancashire Telegraph: ‘This is a devastating situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with Inaayah and her family.’
He added: ‘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, said 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.
‘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.’
