Search for girl swept out to sea to be called off

The search for a British girl who was swept out to sea during a family holiday in Morocco four weeks ago is due to be called off at the end of the month.

Seven-year-old Inaayah Makda, from Blackburn, Lancashire, was sitting with her parents on rocks at a Casablanca beach when they were hit by a large wave on 28 January.

The search operation was recently hampered by severe weather and rough seas, with no trace of the girl found.

News of the search coming to an end was confirmed by Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain, who has travelled to the country to support the family and liaise with authorities.

Parents Zubair and Tasneem Makda, described as hard-working professionals, were on their first night of a week-long family holiday with their daughter when it happened.

The family ended up cut off and surrounded by water, when a wave knocked Inaayah one way and her parents the other, a relative said.

She disappeared from view before her father could reach her.

The couple said the disappearance of their only child has been "devastating".

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.