Boy, 14, drowns after going into water at dock
Police said officers were called at about 6.48pm on Monday to reports that a boy had entered the Millwall Outer Dock.
A 14-year-old boy has drowned after going into the water at a dock.
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called at about 6.48pm on Monday to reports that a boy had entered the Millwall Outer Dock near East Ferry Road on the Isle of Dogs in east London.
The force said despite the efforts of emergency services, the boy was retrieved from the river at 10.30pm and pronounced dead.
The boy’s next-of-kin have been made aware and are being supported by officers.
Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of this young boy at this incredibly difficult time.
“As the warm weather continues, I would urge everyone to remember that open water can present serious dangers.
“Please only swim in designated areas and take the time to speak with children and young people about staying safe around water.”
The boy’s death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious and police said inquiries continue to prepare a report for the coroner.
London Fire Brigade 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.”
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 6.52pm yesterday (3 August) to reports of a person in the water by East Ferry Road, E14.
“We sent ambulance crews, paramedics in fast response cars, an incident response officer and an advanced paramedic.
“Our crews assisted our emergency services partners at the scene but were later stood down.”
Dozens of people have died after getting into trouble in open water amid hot weather this summer.
The Royal Life Saving Society previously issued a plea for everyone to “stop and think” before getting in the water in response to the deaths, many of whom were children.
According to Press Association estimates, at least 39 deaths have been reported this summer from open-water incidents.
The National Water Safety Forum reported there were 202 water-related fatalities across the whole of last year in the UK, adding that 2026 data will not be published until May next year.
A child died in June after being pulled out of open water at London’s Royal Victoria Dock.
Emergency services were called to reports of a child in the water on Silvertown Way, and a boy, believed to be 13, was recovered from the water.
Last month, a seven-year-old boy died after an incident at a beach which also left his teenage cousin and her mother dead.
Musa Ahmed, his cousin Sameeha Rahman, 15, and her mother Shelina Rahman, 41, were in the water with three other family members when they got into difficulty in West Mersea, Essex, on July 22.
Sameeha and Shelina Rahman, from the Ilford area of east London, died at the scene, and Musa was flown to hospital but died a week later.