A 7-year-old girl tragically died only days before her birthday after being swept out to the sea while playing with her friends.

Emily Roman, who was remembered for her ‘bubbly personality,’ was playing at Fountainstown, County Cork in Ireland when the incident happened.

After searching for the young girl for three hours, she was declared dead at the scene.

People have paid heartfelt tributes to Emily and given support to her devastated family.

Speaking to Cork Beo, one heartbroken neighbor said: “Sleep tight sweet sweet little girl. The estate will never be the same without your precious smile.”

According to the news outlet, Emily had a twin brother named Jeremey and an older sister named Inga.

Students and staff at Templebreedy National School have also expressed their heartbreak.

The school released a statement and said: “The entire school community in our small Church of Ireland school in Crosshaven, County Cork, together with the local parish and community, are in shock and are utterly devastated at the death of our 2nd class pupil Emily Roman.

“Most of all we are all heartbroken for Emily’s family and loved ones.”

“Emily would have been eight years old tomorrow. Emily and her twin brother Jeremy have been in our school since they joined Junior Infants in 2020,” the statement added.

The school principal, Doris Bryan, described Emily as ‘kind, with a bubbly personality. She had a beautiful smile. She was greatly loved by everyone and was very popular with all her friends. She was also very artistic and a gifted young girl.”

The class-teacher also offered condolences to the family, saying: “On behalf of the school I extend our deepest sympathies to Emily’s parents, Marta and Slawomir, her older sister Inga and her twin brother Jeremy.

“We are doing our best at the moment to make our school a safe space for all our school community to be together and to support each other as we remember Emily and come to terms with what has happened. Again our primary focus, for Emily’s sake, is with her family and loved ones.”

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