The heartbroken family of a young girl who died after entering the River Thames paid tribute to their "beautiful angel". The girl, named as "Bia" on social media, was understood to have been just nine when she lost her life.

One of Bia's family members, Mirela Turcanu, wrote on social media: "Oh, she left us speechless, this little girl had her whole life ahead of her, but she had the life that was decided by God. Smooth road to heaven, my niece." Another person, Leon Alkapone, called her "my niece, my beautiful angel".

Tragedy struck on Friday, May 30, when the girl was playing with a young relative near the Thames, by the Royal Terrace Pier, in Gravesend, Kent.

Bia, is understood, slipped into the water, with the current pulling her in.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after being alerted to reports of two children getting into difficulty in the river at around 1:45pm.

The young boy was rescued and pulled out of the river, with police saying his condition was "not described to be life-threatening". He is currently in a stable condition.

An urgent rescue operation was launched for Bia.

Authorities, which included Metropolitan Police boats, RNLI, Kent Police, and the South East Coast Ambulance Service, attended the scene, and were involved in the operation.

At around 11.40am on Saturday, a body was recovered from the river near Gravesend, and formal identification by the girl's next of kin took place.

A spokesperson for Kent Police said at the time: "Kent Police's Marine Unit and HM Coastguard continued the search of the water and river bank this morning.

"At around 11.40am, a body was recovered from the river near Gravesend with the assistance of the RNLI. Formal identification by the missing girl's next of kin has taken place. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage and a report will be prepared for the coroner."

The spokesperson added: "Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the young girl at this incredibly difficult time. We would like to thank all those who assisted in the extensive search."

Gravesham MP Dr Lauren Sullivan also offered his "deepest condolences" to the family in a statement published on social media on Saturday afternoon.

The Labour MP said: "I am deeply saddened to hear that a body has been recovered in the search for the girl who went missing in the River Thames in Gravesend.

"I would like to thank emergency services, including the coastguard, Kent Police, the RNLI, and PLA many others for their efforts in the search.

"I know there are many opinions circulating at this time about the circumstances surrounding this tragic event and from speaking to the authorities it is right that there is an investigation, as with all sad circumstances such as these, but at the heart of this is a family and community in grief which I hope everyone can respect.

"I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the child, and keep them all in my thoughts at this time."

The incident is currently not being treated as suspicious, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.