YOUNG FOOTBALLER CONFIRMED AS TEEN WHO DIED AFTER ENTERING THAMES

• A 14-year-old boy, Banta Sillah, died after entering the River Thames near Millwall Outer Dock on London's Isle of Dogs on Monday evening.
• Emergency services were alerted around 6:50 pm, and his body was recovered approximately 10:30 pm, where he was pronounced dead.
• Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman named Banta, describing him as a "talented young footballer" who had "immense potential" and was "dearly loved".
• The Mayor expressed his condolences and urged families to discuss the dangers of swimming in open water, recommending only officially designated areas with lifeguards.
• Police are treating the death as unexpected but not suspicious, and are continuing inquiries for a coroner's report, amidst warnings about cold water shock and a rise in open water drownings this summer.

IN FULL

Teen who died in River Thames named as ‘talented young footballer’

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2026-08-05T08:07:13Z