London teen drowns at Millwall Outer Dock amid heatwave

A 14‑year‑old boy entered the water at Millwall Outer Dock on the Isle of Dogs, east London, on the evening of 3 August 2026 as temperatures rose above 30 °C. Police, the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service launched a coordinated search, including a police helicopter, but the boy was recovered from the River Thames at 10:30 p.m. and pronounced dead. The death is being treated as unexpected and not suspicious, with a coroner’s inquest to follow.

Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter urged the public to avoid open‑water swimming in warm weather and to use designated areas only. The incident adds to a series of open‑water fatalities this summer, with at least 39 deaths reported across the UK.

Authorities continue to issue warm‑weather safety warnings and are reviewing water‑safety measures in the area.