A 17-year-old London schoolboy has died after vanishing while snorkelling in Lake Malawi during a school trip. The pupil, identified by Malawi Police Service as Eugene Enoch Kwon, was a student at Hampton School, a private boys' school in Richmond upon Thames.
Eugene was exploring Lake Malawi with classmates when he suddenly disappeared, prompting a frantic search. Divers later found him underwater, and he was rushed to hospital but could not be revived. Malawi police say inquiries are continuing.
Police Confirm Search Operation
Superintendent Patrick Mussa of the Eastern Region Police Headquarters at the Malawi Police Service confirmed that the teenager's disappearance prompted an "immediate search operation." He added: "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."
School Expresses Condolences
Hampton School confirmed that one of its pupils had died 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."
Similar Tragedy in Wales
The incident comes just weeks after another London student, Umar Dumbuya, 18, lost his life after entering the River Wye during a Duke of Edinburgh expedition in Powys, Wales, on June 30. Emergency crews were alerted after reports that a male had gone into the water and could not be located. Umar was a pupil at Leyton Sixth Form in east London, and the college set up a GoFundMe page to assist his family. Staff wrote: "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."
