California officials find body of missing five-year-old girl swept out to sea

California officials have recovered the body of a five-year-old girl who earlier this week was swept into the ocean by turbulent waters.

On Tuesday evening, the girl, her mother and brother were walking along the shore of Treasure Island Beach in Orange county, when a wave reportedly engulfed them.

Two bystanders jumped into action, rescuing the mother and son, but they did not find the girl, according to ABC News. Her disappearance set off a nearly 30-hour-long search encompassing 90 sq miles, during which rescuers faced poor visibility underwater and powerful currents, the outlet reported.

An aerial search located a body on Thursday morning that was positively identified as the young girl, about a quarter-mile north of where the incident occurred, according to Laguna Beach authorities. Her family has been notified.

A park ranger scans the horizon in Laguna Beach on Wednesday. Photograph: Mindy Schauer/The Orange County Register/AP

Laguna Beach mayor Mark Orgill extended his deepest condolences to the family. He said in a statement: “This is one of the most heartbreaking incidents I have witnessed during my time serving this community.”

The National Weather Service cautioned Orange county beachgoers of a high risk for rip currents, fast-moving channels of water that can carry swimmers away from the shore. The hazardous conditions are expected to persist through Thursday evening, according to the agency.

Kai Bond, the city’s marine safety chief, addressed beach visitors in a Tuesday video, urging them to heed caution on the beach. Swells of water up to 10ft had been observed.

“Please know that when you come to the beach that you need to understand your abilities. And if you’re not an expert, you need to stay out of the water,” Bond said.