The body of a 16-year-old Nigerian teenager, Emmanuel Familola, has been recovered from Lough Swilly in the Buncrana community of County Donegal, Ireland, following a tragic drowning incident.
According to local media outlet Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the tragedy occurred on Saturday, May 10, when Emmanuel and two other teenagers got into difficulty while swimming around 4 p.m.
Emergency responders launched a major search and rescue effort after eyewitnesses raised an alarm.
One of the three teenagers managed to swim to safety, while another was rescued and taken to Letterkenny General Hospital in critical condition.
Emmanuel’s body was later found between Ned’s Point and Fahan and taken to Letterkenny University Hospital.
Padraig Mac Lochlainn, a member of the Irish Parliament representing the Donegal Constituency, confirmed that Emmanuel Familola and 18-year-old Matt Sibanda both lost their lives in the incident.
In a heartfelt message on Facebook, he expressed sorrow over the deaths and announced the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to support their bereaved families.
Insight Inishowen, a community charity group, set up the fundraiser, stating that the funds—over €41,000 raised as of the latest check—will be evenly distributed to both families to help cover funeral expenses.
“We are heartbroken by their loss and want to do everything to help ease the financial burden at a time of such unimaginable pain,” the group wrote in their appeal.
This incident comes just days after another Nigerian teenager, Valentine Ikechukwu, drowned in a lake at Colwick Country Park in the UK. His body was recovered on April 30.
