Third body found in hunt for swimmers missing in River Thames

Menelik Mimano was last seen struggling in the water at Waterloo Bridge during heatwave

Police cordon at Shadwell Basin, where one of three missing swimmers was found on 24 July (PA)

The body of a 26-year-old man declared missing after he was seen in the water near Waterloo Bridge in central London has been pulled from the River Thames.

Menelik Mimano – last seen struggling in the water around 8.30pm on Tuesday – was found dead near Canary Wharf at around 9.20pm on Thursday night, police said.

Mr Mimano is the third person to die while swimming in the river during this week’s heatwave.

Officers searching for a 23-year-old man reported missing at Shadwell Basin, in east London, on Tuesday evening recovered his body the following morning.

The Metropolitan Police said a man had been “swimming with friends and did not resurface”.

A second body was also recovered later on Wednesday after officer search for a 47-year-old man last seen struggling in the water at Kingston Upon Thames on Tuesday evening.

Scotland Yard’s investigation was opened just hours after a swimmer’s body was found in Gloucestershire.

A man’s body was recovered at Cotswold Water Park at around 1.40pm on Tuesday after a swimmer was reported missing.

Police and ambulance crews were at the site, with a National Police Air Service helicopter scrambled to help search for the swimmer. “He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene and the coroner and the man’s next of kin have been informed,” said Gloucestershire Police.

Mr Mimano’s death is not being treated as suspicious, and his family have been notified.

“Due to Mr Mimano having been the subject of a missing person enquiry when he died, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been notified,” a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.