A seven-year-old British girl from Blackburn, Lancashire, remains missing after she was tragically swept out to sea while on holiday in Morocco. In the wake of the incident, an urgent public appeal launched to support her family’s independent search efforts has successfully raised over £50,000, reflecting an overwhelming wave of community solidarity and international concern.
Inaayah Makda was caught by a sudden, violent surge of water on Wednesday, January 28, while her family was visiting a beach near Casablanca. What was meant to be the joyful beginning of a week-long family holiday turned into an unimaginable nightmare within moments, leaving her parents and loved ones locked in a desperate battle to locate her.
Her parents, Zubair and Tasneem Makda, were sitting on coastal rocks when the tragedy occurred. According to accounts provided by the family, the tide appeared to be receding and far out when they initially arrived at the coastal location. However, without warning or visible advisory notices, the tide rushed back in with immense speed and power, catching numerous beachgoers off guard.
Within approximately twenty minutes, the rapidly rising waters had swept multiple people into the turbulent surf. While other individuals caught in the current were ultimately able to reach safety, young Inaayah was separated from her parents as heavy waves crashed against the shoreline, carrying her further out into the open sea.
Accounts of the Incident and Family Despair
Detailing the terrifying speed of the events, a relative of the family, who chose to remain anonymous, explained that the hazardous conditions caught everyone present by surprise. The family found themselves entirely cut off from their daughter as wall-to-wall water surrounded them. A forceful wave struck Inaayah, knocking her in one direction while her parents were driven another way, rendering immediate rescue impossible amidst the chaotic currents.
In the immediate aftermath, Zubair and Tasneem Makda were left stranded and traumatized, ultimately losing sight of their daughter as they fought their way to higher ground. Relatives have pointed out a glaring lack of safety measures, noting that there were no warning signs or advisory notices posted for tourists to caution them against the dangerous tidal patterns at the location.
Naseem Khan, a presenter for Blackburn-based UCTV, shared a heartbreaking voice note on social media sent by Inaayah’s father, Zubair. In the audio message, an emotionally shattered Zubair expressed his anguish while simultaneously voicing profound frustration over what he described as an inadequate and sluggish initial response from local Moroccan authorities.
In the voice note, Zubair recounted the terrifying sequence of events: “We were just on the rocks… that were sort of spread apart. It’s sort of like half a metre-high type of rocks and that’s when the tide just suddenly just swept everyone out.”
“Inaayah was on a rock behind me. I pray she’s okay and she’s on a rock or something and she’s just waiting for somebody to rescue her,” he continued, his voice heavy with grief. “I just pray she’s not gone and she’s not left us. I’ve always said that she’s a special girl.”
Search Efforts for Inaayah
Refusing to wait for official search protocols that the family felt were moving too slowly, Zubair and Tasneem remained in Casablanca to drive independent rescue efforts. Recognizing the critical need for immediate, specialized intervention, the family took the initiative to hire a private search operator equipped with a helicopter and specialized maritime resources to sweep the coastline and surrounding waters.
To help offset the immense financial burden of these private operations, a GoFundMe appeal titled ‘Search for Inaya’ was established. The campaign has since captured widespread public attention, quickly surpassing the £50,000 milestone as donations pour in from sympathizers across the United Kingdom and beyond, moving closer toward its £90,000 target.
The fundraiser organizers detailed the immense expenses facing the family during this harrowing ordeal, writing: “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.”
The statement continued to outline the practical necessities funded by public generosity: “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.”
Local and Parliamentary Response
Back in her hometown of Blackburn, the news has cast a heavy shadow over the local community. Inaayah is a well-liked pupil at Roe Lee Park Primary School and regularly attends the Masjid-e-Saliheen madrasah, where teachers, classmates, and community members have been holding continuous prayers for her safe return.
Elected officials have also stepped forward to offer formal backing and coordinate diplomatic assistance. Adnan Hussain, the Member of Parliament for Blackburn, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, confirming that he has been in direct communication with Inaayah’s grieving family to offer his full support.
“I am heartbroken by this news,” MP Adnan Hussain stated. “I am urgently raising this matter with the UK authorities, including the Foreign Office, to ensure every possible step is being taken to support the search efforts and to provide the family with all the assistance they require at this deeply distressing time.”
Meanwhile, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has acknowledged the ongoing crisis, confirming that consular assistance is being actively provided. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office stated that officials are actively “supporting the family of a British national reported missing in Morocco” and remain “in contact with local authorities” to monitor and facilitate cooperation in the search operations.
As the independent search operations continue along the Moroccan coastline, community networks and family members continue to share updates through the official ‘Search for Inaya’ GoFundMe page, keeping hope alive for the safe recovery of the seven-year-old Blackburn girl.