A 17-year-old pupil from Hampton School in south-west London has died while snorkelling in Lake Malawi during a school trip to Africa. The teen, identified as Eugene Enoch Kwon by the Malawi Police Service, vanished in the lake on Tuesday, July 14, triggering a large-scale search operation.
Search and recovery efforts
Local divers were deployed to locate the missing student. Superintendent Patrick Mussa of the Eastern Region Police Headquarters at the Malawi Police Service confirmed that an immediate search operation was launched. He stated: "After an extensive search, divers located him underwater... Police in the Eastern Region have since expressed their condolences to the bereaved family, while investigations into the incident continue." Eugene's body was recovered and transferred to a nearby hospital, but he could not be saved, according to The Mirror.
School confirms tragedy
Hampton School, an independent boys' school in Richmond upon Thames, confirmed the death of one of its pupils during the camping excursion. A spokesperson told the BBC: "Our thoughts, love and deepest sympathies are with the pupil's family and loved ones at this unimaginably difficult time... At present, our focus is supporting the pupil's family and everyone affected within our school community."
Recent similar tragedy
This incident comes just weeks after another London student, Umar Dumbuya, 18, died after entering the River Wye during a Duke of Edinburgh expedition in Powys, Wales, on June 30. Umar, a pupil at Leyton Sixth Form College in east London, was reported missing after going into the water. Emergency services were alerted, but he could not be located. The college set up a GoFundMe page to support his family. Staff said: "It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking loss of a much-loved student who tragically passed away in a sudden accident. Umar will be remembered for his kindness, warmth, and the positive impact he had on his family, friends, classmates, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing them. Umar's loss has left an immeasurable void in the hearts of all who loved them."
