Two boys from Kerala drown in Ireland lake
Dublin (Ireland), August 31: Two 16-year-old Kerala-origin boys, identified as Reuven Simon and Joseph Sebastian, who had been living in the UK, "tragically drowned" in a lake in Northern Ireland, the local media reported.
Teenagers Reuven Simon and Joseph Sebastian were among a group of six friends who had cycled to Enagh Lough outside Derry for a swim on Monday evening, Ireland's public service broadcaster RTE reported. The tragedy struck after some of them went swimming.
According to a statement issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, an alarm was raised around 6:30 am, triggering a rescue and recovery effort. Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said a rapid-response paramedic, five emergency crews, a hazardous area response team and an ambulance officer were dispatched to the scene.
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The NIAS also tasked the air ambulance to attend to the incident, according to RTE. One boy was taken from the water to the hospital, where he was later declared dead.
The body of the second boy was also recovered from the water after extensive searches by Foyle Search and Rescue and police divers.
A third boy was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Three other boys were unharmed, but in shock, said a Police Service of Northern Ireland statement.
Micheal Martin, Prime Minister and head of government of Ireland, expressed his sympathy to the families.
Meanwhile, Father Michael Canny, a Catholic parish priest in the nearby Waterside district, said as many as eight boys might have cycled to the lake. "I understand they decided to enter the lough for swimming, which is not uncommon for locals to do," he said as quoted by RTE. He said the boys attended local primary and grammar schools and received their GCSE results last week.
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"They are part of the Indian Kerala community who worship here at St Columb's in Waterside. Two of the mothers are nurses, I understand. Another works in the health service and another is a local business here. It's an awful tragedy and there is tremendous sadness all around," he added.
-PTC News with ANI inputs
