An urgent fundraising campaign has surpassed £50,000 as family and community members rally to support the independent search for a seven-year-old British girl who was swept out to sea while on holiday in Morocco.
Inaayah Makda, a schoolgirl from Blackburn, Lancashire, went missing on Wednesday, January 28, during the opening hours of what was meant to be a relaxing week-long family getaway. Her parents, Zubair and Tasneem Makda, were with her on a beach near Casablanca when a sudden, powerful surge of water swept the family into the sea.
While her parents managed to survive the harrowing ordeal and climb back to safety, they tragically lost sight of their young daughter in the turbulent waves. The incident has since sparked widespread concern, a major community fundraising effort, and urgent intervention from British parliamentary representatives and consular officials.
Accounts of the Tragic Incident
The tragedy unfolded on the very first evening of the family’s holiday. According to a relative who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the family had arrived at the beach when the tide appeared to be far out, giving a false sense of security. Without warning, however, the tide rushed back in with terrifying speed.
Within minutes, the surging water trapped numerous beachgoers on the rocky shoreline. While several people caught in the sudden tide were ultimately rescued or managed to reach safety, seven-year-old Inaayah was violently separated from her parents.
Relatives have highlighted that the area lacked adequate safety warnings or signage for tourists, leaving visitors unaware of the sudden and dangerous tidal shifts characteristic of that stretch of coastline.
In a heartbreaking voice note shared on social media by Naseem Khan, a presenter for Blackburn-based UCTV, Inaayah’s father, Zubair Makda, described the terrifying speed at which the sea overwhelmed them.
"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," Zubair said in the audio message.
"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. I just pray she’s not gone and she’s not left us. I’ve always said that she’s a special girl."
Desperate Search Efforts and Public Response
In the wake of the tragedy, Zubair and Tasneem Makda remained in Casablanca to oversee and coordinate rescue efforts. Early search operations conducted by local emergency services drew sharp criticism from the family, who expressed deep frustration over what they perceived as a lack of immediate, robust action from Moroccan authorities.
Faced with mounting desperation and limited official resources, the family made the critical decision to enlist private search operators, including aerial support via helicopter and specialized marine teams.
To help shoulder the immense financial burden of these private operations, loved ones launched a GoFundMe campaign titled "Search for Inaya." The response from the public has been overwhelming, with donations rapidly pouring in from sympathizers across the United Kingdom and beyond. The fundraiser has successfully raised over £50,000, moving closer to its £90,000 target.
The fundraiser description details the immense financial and logistical challenges the family faces on the ground. "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 reads.
"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."
The statement adds that a significant portion of these mounting costs has initially been met privately by the grieving family, prompting the wider community to step forward and provide financial backing during their darkest hour.
Community and Political Support
Back home in Blackburn, the news has sent shockwaves through the local community. Inaayah is a well-liked pupil at Roe Lee Park Primary School and also attends the Masjid-e-Saliheen madrasah, where friends, teachers, and community members have gathered to offer prayers and support for her safe return.
Adnan Hussain, the Member of Parliament for Blackburn, expressed profound sorrow over the incident and confirmed that he had been in direct communication with Inaayah’s family to offer whatever assistance is possible.
"I am heartbroken by this news," Mr. 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."
Diplomatic channels have since been activated. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued a formal statement confirming that it is actively involved in the case. A Foreign Office spokesperson stated that the government is "supporting the family of a British national reported missing in Morocco" and remains in close contact with local authorities on the ground to monitor and assist with the ongoing search operations.
As the search enters a critical phase, the "Search for Inaya" GoFundMe page remains active, serving as a primary lifeline for the family as they continue their desperate quest to find their daughter.