Corpse Of 16-Year-Old Nigerian Boy Recovered After He Drowned While Swimming In Ireland

A 16-year-old Nigerian boy, Emmanuel Familola, has died after drowning while swimming in a river near the Buncrana community in Ireland.

Emmanuel Familola’s corpse was found during a search and rescue operation carried out by emergency workers.

According to a report by Irish media outlet Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the tragic incident happened on Saturday, May 10, when Emmanuel and two other teenagers ran into trouble while swimming in Lough Swilly.

Witnesses quickly raised the alarm, prompting a large air and sea rescue effort.

Emmanuel’s body was later discovered between Ned’s Point and Fahan and taken to Letterkenny University Hospital.

One of the teenagers managed to swim to safety, while another was rescued from the water and taken to the hospital in critical condition.

“The body of a teenager has been recovered from waters off the coast of Co Donegal after three teenagers got into difficulty while swimming in Lough Swilly yesterday afternoon.

“The body was discovered last night between Ned’s Point and Fahan, close to the town of Buncrana, and was removed to Letterkenny University Hospital. It followed an extensive air and sea rescue operation to find the teenager who was missing.

“The alarm was raised after the teenagers, aged between 16 and 19, encountered difficulty while swimming around 4 p.m.

“One of the teenagers managed to swim ashore. A third was taken from the sea and was brought to Letterkenny General Hospital, where his condition is said to be very serious.”

Local lawmaker, Padraig Mac Lochlainn, who represents Donegal, confirmed that two teenagers—Emmanuel Familola and 18-year-old Matt Sibanda—died in the incident.

In response, Lochlainn helped launch a GoFundMe campaign to support the families with funeral expenses.

In a message posted on Facebook, Lochlainn described the deaths as a huge shock to the community and expressed deep sympathy for the families.

He wrote, “There has been widespread shock and sadness following the deaths of 16-year-old Emmanuel Familola and 18-year-old Matt Sibanda in the drowning tragedy.”

“A GoFundMe page has just been set up by Insight Inishowen to raise funds to help cover the funeral costs for their devastated families.”

The fundraising page, created by the local group Insight Inishowen, has already raised over €41,000, surpassing its €40,000 goal. The money will be split equally between both grieving families.

The fundraising organizers described Emmanuel and Matt as “beautiful teenagers” and said the entire Buncrana community is devastated by their loss.

They assured donors that every euro raised will go directly to the families to help them through this painful time.

“As one of the member groups of The Exchange Community Centre, on behalf of the whole Buncrana Community that has been devastated by Saturday’s tragic loss of two beautiful teenagers, Insight Inishowen is raising funds to help support the devastated families.

“Having the privilege to know the boys and the families, we are heartbroken by their loss and want to do everything to help ease the financial burden at a time of such unimaginable pain and loss.

“Please, join us in supporting them in their darkest hour. As a registered charity, Insight Inishowen will ensure that every penny raised will be divided equally between the two grieving families,” the message read.

See some photos below:

KanyiDaily recalls that the discovery of two bodies, allegedly murdered and left in the trunk of their Toyota Corolla in Anambra State, recently triggered panic among the residents and passers-by.