The body of 16-year-old Nigerian, Emmanuel Familola, was recovered following a drowning incident in Buncrana, County Donegal, Ireland.
According to reports from Irish broadcaster RTÉ, the tragedy occurred on Saturday, May 10, when Familola and two other teenagers experienced difficulties while swimming in Lough Swilly. Emergency responders were alerted around 4 p.m. after witnesses saw the youths struggling in the water.
One of the teens managed to swim to safety on their own, while another was rescued from the water and taken to Letterkenny University Hospital in critical condition. Familola went missing during the ordeal, and his body was later found between Ned’s Point and Fahan. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The community has been deeply affected by the loss. Padraig Mac Lochlainn, a member of the Irish Parliament for Donegal, confirmed that two teenagers died in the incident—Familola and 18-year-old Matt Sibanda.
To support the grieving families, Mac Lochlainn launched a GoFundMe campaign. In a Facebook message, he described the deaths as profoundly tragic and called on the public to assist those affected.
The fundraiser, organized by Insight Inishowen alongside The Exchange Community Centre, surpassed its €40,000 target by Monday, raising more than €41,500. The proceeds will be divided equally between the families to help with funeral costs.
Insight Inishowen, which is closely connected to the families, expressed heartbreak over the loss and urged community support, assuring that all funds will be used to aid the bereaved.
This incident follows another drowning involving a Nigerian teenager in the UK. Valentine Ikechukwu, aged 16, died after struggling while swimming at Colwick Country Park on April 30, with his death confirmed by Nottinghamshire Police on May 9.
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