Boy dies in water at Royal Victoria Dock

A teenage boy has died after entering the water at a beach in the Royal Victoria Dock in east London.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to Dock Beach, off Dock Road, at about 16:15 BST on Monday, alongside paramedics, the Thames Coastguard and the London Fire Brigade (LFB).

The boy, believed to be 13, was recovered from the water by emergency responders and given first aid, but was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other people were reported to have been in the water, and the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

Dock beach is a man-made attraction with imported sand, seating, and an open water swimming area. It is built into the west of the dock, very close to the London mayor's office at City Hall.

Det Supt Scott Ware asked the public to "avoid speculation and refrain from sharing distressing material online out of respect for the family and to preserve the investigation".

He thanked emergency services involved in the search and rescue effort, as well as members of the public who offered assistance.

An investigation into the full circumstances is ongoing.

Assistant Commissioner Pamela Oparaocha from the LFB described it as "a terrible tragedy" and said the thoughts of the brigade were with the boy's family and loved ones.

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