A talented young footballer, 14-year-old Banta Sillah, has died after drowning in the River Thames. His body was recovered on Tuesday evening after he entered the water at Millwall Outer Dock as temperatures reached 30C (86F).
Sillah was the captain of Frontline Community FC and had been instrumental in the team's victory in the Tower Hamlets cup the previous week. Lutfur Rahman, the mayor of Tower Hamlets, expressed his heartbreak on social media, calling Sillah a "true leader" and a "role model" with "immense potential."
"He had a positive outlook on life, a kind heart, and was always willing to help others," Frontline Community FC said in a statement on Instagram. The club noted that Sillah had recently begun taking his first steps into coaching, volunteering with the Under-12s during the Summer League, where he built an "incredible bond" with the young players.
Emergency services were called to the scene just before 7 p.m. following reports that a boy had gotten into difficulty in the water. Despite an extensive search, Sillah was retrieved from the dock at 10:30 p.m. and pronounced dead. His death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious, and an investigation is underway to prepare a report for the coroner.
Signs in the area, near Canary Wharf in east London, had warned against unauthorized swimming and highlighted the dangers of deep water. One local resident reported seeing children pressuring another child to enter the river. The dock has a deck used for diving and jumping, despite the warnings.
Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter urged the public to be aware of the dangers of open water, especially during warm weather. "Please only swim in designated areas and take the time to speak with children and young people about staying safe around water," he stated. The London Ambulance Service confirmed that crews assisted emergency services at the scene.
The council is providing support to Banta Sillah's family during this difficult time. The club has requested privacy for the family and asked for prayers for Sillah and his loved ones, seeking his admission into Jannatul Firdaus without reckoning and strength for his family.