A devastating family holiday in Morocco has turned into an agonizing international search operation, prompting an outpouring of grief, solidarity, and financial support from communities across the United Kingdom. Seven-year-old Inaayah Makda, a British schoolgirl from Blackburn, Lancashire, remains missing after she was suddenly swept out to sea by a powerful, rushing tide while visiting a beach near Casablanca.
The tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday, January 28, marking what was supposed to be the joyous beginning of a week-long family getaway for seven-year-old Inaayah and her parents, Zubair and Tasneem Makda. Instead, the family found themselves caught in a life-or-threatening coastal emergency that has since mobilized local communities, British diplomats, and members of Parliament as search efforts intensify.
Accounts of the Incident and the Sudden Tide
According to accounts provided by the family and relatives, Zubair, Tasneem, and Inaayah had ventured onto a rocky coastal area near a beach close to Casablanca on the very first evening of their holiday. A relative of the family, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted that the tide appeared to be exceptionally far out when they first arrived at the location, creating a false sense of security for tourists unfamiliar with the specific coastal geography and tidal patterns of the area.
Without warning, the ocean tide rushed back in with terrifying speed and force. Within roughly twenty minutes, the rapid influx of water had swept numerous beachgoers into the surf. While many of those caught in the sudden surge managed to navigate to safety or were rescued from the water, seven-year-old Inaayah was separated from her parents.
Relatives noted that the area lacked adequate warning signs or safety advisories for tourists, leaving visitors completely unprepared for the ferocious and rapid tidal shifts. The parents were cut off from their young daughter and surrounded by churning water after a massive wave struck the shoreline, knocking Inaayah in one direction while forcing Zubair and Tasneem another way. Although the parents were also swept into the treacherous water, they managed to climb back to safety, only to realize with horror that they had lost sight of their daughter in the chaos.
In the immediate aftermath, a distressed Zubair shared a heartbreaking voice note with Naseem Khan, a presenter for Blackburn-based UCTV, expressing his anguish and ongoing prayers for his daughter’s survival.
In the voice note, Zubair described the horrifying moments of the incident: “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 filled with despair. “I just pray she’s not gone and she’s not left us. I’ve always said that she’s a special girl.”
Intensified Search Efforts and Community Response
Following the tragedy, Zubair and Tasneem remained in Casablanca, deeply frustrated by what they perceived as an inadequate and delayed initial response from local Moroccan authorities. Concerned about the lack of comprehensive official action in the critical hours following the incident, the family took matters into their own hands, initiating independent search operations and enlisting private operators equipped with aerial support, including helicopters and boats, to comb the coastline.
To help shoulder the astronomical costs of these private rescue efforts, an emergency GoFundMe appeal titled ‘Search for Inaya’ was established. The response from the public has been nothing short of extraordinary, with donations pouring in from friends, neighbors, strangers, and community members touched by the heartbreaking story. Within days, the fundraiser surpassed its initial milestones, raising over £50,000 toward its £90,000 target.
The fundraiser description outlines the immense financial burden facing the family during this catastrophic time: “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.”
“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 read.
The organizers added that because many of these critical search expenses were initially being met out-of-pocket by the grieving family, the community felt a profound duty to step forward and alleviate the financial pressure so that the search for Inaayah could continue unabated.
Back home in Lancashire, the news has deeply shaken the tight-knit community of Blackburn. Inaayah is well-known locally as a bright and cheerful student who attends Roe Lee Park Primary School and studies at the Masjid-e-Saliheen madrasah. Educators, classmates, and community members have rallied around the family, organizing vigils, offering constant prayers, and sharing appeals across social media platforms.
Political and Diplomatic Intervention
Local leadership has also stepped in to demand greater institutional backing for the frantic search. Adnan Hussain, the Member of Parliament for Blackburn, expressed profound sorrow over the incident, stating that he was completely “heartbroken” by the news. Mr. Hussain confirmed that he had been in direct communication with Inaayah’s family to offer his unwavering support and practical assistance.
“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,” Mr. Hussain stated.
In response to parliamentary inquiries and mounting public concern, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued a formal statement. A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that the government is actively engaged in the situation, stating that officials are “supporting the family of a British national reported missing in Morocco” and remain “in contact with local authorities” to monitor the coordination of the search and rescue operations along the Moroccan coast.
As the private boats, aerial spotters, and ground search teams continue their painstaking sweep of the Casablanca coastline, family, friends, and communities across Britain continue to hold out hope, keeping seven-year-old Inaayah Makda in their thoughts and prayers.
The ‘Search for Inaya’ fundraiser remains active on GoFundMe as loved ones push forward with their relentless mission to bring her home.