Emmanuel Familola and Matt Sibanda, two teenage boys from Nigeria and Zimbabwe respectively, drowned off the coast of Buncrana while trying to retrieve a football. They were part of a small group of teenagers, three of whom ventured into the water, leading to this tragic incident. Emergency responders, including RNLI lifeboats and the Coastguard, swiftly launched a rescue operation. Taoiseach Micheal Martin expressed deep condolences, noting the heart-wrenching loss to families and the local community. Funeral arrangements are pending as the community mourns the loss of these young lives.
Joe Joyce, a member of RNLI Lough Swilly, explained one of the Lough Swilly RNLI past crew members was on the Lough at the time and immediately joined the search. 'They immediately came to the scene and recovered one person onto their boat and brought them to the lifeboat where two other crew members joined them. The young boy was a 16-year-old, and he was brought to the pier in Buncrana. The ambulance service was there and immediately started life-saving treatment.'
Taoiseach Micheal Martin paid tribute to the teenagers and said it was a 'heartbreaking loss.' 'Very saddened at the shocking and tragic passing of Emmanuel Familola and Matt Sibanda in Buncrana over the weekend. A heartbreaking loss of two young lives. Thinking of their families, friends, the local community and the first responders at this devastating time.'
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