'Extreme weather' thwarts search for missing girl

The search for a seven-year-old British girl who is missing in Morocco after being swept out to sea has been hampered again by "extreme adverse weather conditions", her town MP has said.

Inaayah Makda, of Blackburn, was sitting with her parents on rocks at a Casablanca beach when they were hit by a large wave on 28 January.

Her parents Zubair and Tasneem were also knocked into the water and lost sight of their daughter.

In an update, Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain said that "search and rescue operations at sea continue to be hindered; land-based search and rescue has been ongoing".

He thanked the people of Blackburn for their "compassion and solidarity with Inaayah's family at this devastating time".

The sea search operation was also suspended last week by a storm.

Hussain said: "There has been a tremendous amount of concern expressed by the people of Blackburn and across the country regarding the ongoing search and rescue efforts in Casablanca, Morocco.

"The family of Inaayah Makda have requested I provide an update."

He added: "I wish to reassure everybody in Blackburn and all concerned parties who have been contacting the family, the Moroccan authorities and the Foreign Office, that search and rescue efforts continue, as confirmed by both the Civil Protection Team and by the Foreign Office."

He said communication with the family was ongoing, with a dedicated member of staff from his office helping the family liaise with relevant authorities.

"We have had an extensive meeting today with the Foreign Office," he said.

"I am to have a further meeting with the Moroccan Ambassador in due course.

"My office has been assured that as soon as adverse weather conditions have subsided, sea-based and rescue efforts will proceed."

Inaayah's parents have said their world has been "forever changed" after she was swept away by a wave, with "every minute since filled with unbearable pain, fear and hope".

They said: "We hold on to hope that she may have reached safety somewhere along the coastline".

A fundraising appeal launched to pay for a private search and essential family expenses has raised more than £61,000.

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