5-year-old boy who died after falling from a block of flats locally called Aalim Makail

A five-year-old boy who died after falling from one of the top floors of an east London tower block has been named locally as Aalim Makail.

He fell from Jacobs House in New City Road, Plaistow, at around 06:00 BST on Thursday and was pronounced dead at the scene, the Met Police said.

Police are not treating his death as suspicious, but Newham Council says it is “launching a full investigation”.

Aalim’s school paid tribute to a “beautiful, happy and caring child”.

The council described Thursday’s events as “shocking and tragic”.

A neighbor previously said the boy’s parents were “inconsolable”.

Abi Gbago, chief executive of Newham Council, said he would provide an update once his investigation was complete.

She said: “Yesterday was a heartbreaking and tragic day for all involved and we are united in both our grief and our determination to ensure the family are fully supported.

“What they have gone through with the loss of Aalim, their child, is truly devastating and they will need time and space to mourn such a terrible loss.”

The Boleyn Trust, which runs New City Primary School where the five-year-old attended, said: “Aalim was a beautiful, happy and caring child, he was much loved by his family and all the staff at New City.

“This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this sad time.”

Asim Uddin, the leader of the mosque at Masjid Ibrahim Plaistow, described Aalim’s death as “shocking” and said the community “shares the pain”.

He said: “We fully support the family. We are all with the family and making sure there is support.”

Throughout Friday, the number of flowers, toys and books left near the tower block grew, many of them left by children from Aalim’s school passing by on their way home.

An anonymous resident of Jacobs House described the windows as “poor quality”.

He told the BBC: “The design of windows on high floors is not good and safe for children.

“You can actually unlock the windows in the living room, the kitchen and one of the bedrooms, which is clearly not meant to be secure. If a latch breaks, it won’t close properly and could open wide no matter what. “

Newham Council did not respond to questions about the windows in Jacobs House.

A spokesman for the Building Safety Regulatory Authority, part of the Health and Safety Executive, said: “We are engaging with the appropriate agencies to understand the facts.”

Two separate fundraising pages have raised more than £3,000 for the family.

Scotland Yard said a file would be prepared for the coroner.

Additional reporting by Alex Forster

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]