‘We are all scarred by this’ – Community unites in grief at vigil for teenagers who died in Donegal drowning tragedy

Emmanuel Familola, 16, and Matt Sibanda, 18, were remembered by family, friends, and the local community, who came together at St Mary’s Oratory in Buncrana on Sunday afternoon in the wake of the terrible loss.

The two friends drowned after getting into difficulty off the coast at Buncrana close to Ned’s Point.

A third teenager, believed to be aged 19, was also taken to hospital.

It is understood the boys had entered the water to retrieve a football.

Matt was a student of Crana College, while Emmanuel attended Scoil Mhuire.

There was standing only in the church as the large crowd spilled out into the car park during the special vigil.

Among the mourners were friends and family of the two teenagers, the local community, members of Donegal County Council and representatives from the emergency services.

Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, led the service, which was concelebrated by Fr Francis Bradley, Fr John Walsh and Fr Patrick Baker.

In his opening remarks, Bishop McKeown acknowledged the pain and heartache that comes with such a sudden loss.

He reflected that the bright and sunny weather contrasts greatly with the cloud of grief that now hung over the town.

“Yesterday, this time 24 hours ago, the sun was shining, the sky was blue, the sea was attractive, everything was wonderful.

“Today, a dark cloud has come over everybody in different ways but especially the families of Emmanuel and Matt.

“Whatever our reason for being here today, can we open our hearts with nothing but questions, with no answers, facing the awfulness of death, the suddenness of loss and the terrible wounds that are left by those who were snatched from us,” said Bishop McKeown.

The service included prayers for the families of Emmanuel and Matt, the emergency responders who worked tirelessly at the scene, and for all those affected by the tragedy, both in Buncrana and in the boys’ home countries of Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Bishop McKeown said the tragedy had affected “all sorts of different people in different ways” but particularly the families of the boys who had come to Buncrana seeking safety and a new life.

“We have two families who came here to find welcome in Buncrana, who travelled here for safety and found this tragedy.

“The community is affected as well because there are many people here who have been touched by other tragedies in their lives, in the water or on land,” said the Bishop.

He also acknowledged the impact on the younger members of the community, particularly students at Crana College and Scoil Mhuire.

“Many of our young people are always very much affected by occasions like this – to lose a school mate at Crana College or Scoil Mhuire, the ground seems to move under your feet.

“It is no surprise there are so many from this generous welcoming, community here today to gather around the two bereaved families because we are all scarred by this, and memories of pass losses are awakened again.

“Christians are in the season of Easter, but events like this bring us back to Good Friday.

“A mother at the foot of the cross as her son is dying and she is helpless. While there are no words, just tears.

“Tears of incomprehension, tears of love, tears of loss.

“Life is so precious and so fragile,” said Bishop McKeown.

Two Buncrana schools, Crana College and Scoil Mhuire, have paid tribute to the two young men who died in a drowning tragedy off the coast of Donegal.

The two, Emmanuel Familola (16) from Nigeria and Matt Sibanda (18), who was from Zimbabwe, died after getting into difficulty off the coast at Buncrana.

A third teenager believed to be aged 19 is in serious condition in hospital.

It is understood the boys had entered the water to retrieve a football.

Matt was a student of Crana College, while Emmanuel attended Scoil Mhuire.

A spokesperson for Donegal ETB said the entire community of Crana College and Scoil Mhuire, including students, staff, Board of Managements, and parents, are heartbroken following the tragic events that occurred in Buncrana on Saturday.

“It is with deep sorrow that we confirm the loss of our beloved students, Emmanuel and Matt, who tragically lost their lives at sea.

“Our heartfelt condolences go to Matt and Emmanuel’s families, who are grieving the unimaginable loss of their cherished sons and loved ones.”

Upon learning of the tragedy, Crana College and Scoil Mhuire immediately activated their Critical Incident Plans.

Student Support Teams, Critical Incident Teams, and entire staff are working closely together to provide comfort and support to students, parents, and colleagues during this extremely difficult time.

Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and Donegal ETB, are offering professional guidance to ensure the wellbeing of all affected.

In a joint statement, Principals Kevin Cooley (Crana College) and Evelyn McLoughlin (Scoil Mhuire) said the school communities are devastated by this heartbreaking loss.

“Emmanuel and Matt were deeply respected and valued members of our student bodies, and their passing has left us all in profound shock. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and with the wider Buncrana community.

“This is a tragedy that words cannot fully express.

“In the coming days, weeks, and months, we will continue to support our students, families, and staff with care and compassion.

“Our priority remains the wellbeing of everyone in our community. Finally, we extend our deepest gratitude to the emergency services and rescue teams for their swift and courageous response.”

Crana College and Scoil Mhuire said they will provide a space for students, staff, and parents to gather, support one another, and begin the healing process.

The schools will reopen as normal on Monday, with extensive supports in place for those affected.

All three were international protection applicants understood to be from Africa and who had lived in the area with their families for a number of years and had attended school locally.

Gardaí and emergency services conducted a search and rescue operation after gardaí were alerted by the Coast Guard to a report of three males aged between 16 and 19 in difficulty in the water at approximately 4pm.

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One of the men managed to swim to shore while another was later rescued from the water.

He was taken from the sea by rescuers and rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital.

However, he died overnight.

A widespread search for the third person was launched and a body was recovered from the water around 9pm on Saturday night.

The search centred on the shoreline in Buncrana between Ned’s Point and Fahan.

Speaking at mass at St Mary’s Chapel in Cockhill on Sunday morning, Fr Francis Bradley prayed for the two young men who lost their lives in the tragedy.

“We are conscious of having lost two of our new parishioners overnight,” Fr Bradley said.

“We are heartbroken at their loss but we pray for them and for their families.”

Fr Bradley said vigil later today aims to support the families of the young boys as they come to terms with their loss.

He said the community of Buncrana were devastated by the tragic incident.

“It is not what we look for on a lovely summer’s evening after such a wonderful day in the midst of beautiful weather, it is now tinged with bewilderment and heartbreak,” he said.

“There is immense sorrow and grief at the loss of two lovely young boys.

“There was a sense of urgency in trying to console their mothers and siblings but also being respectful of their need for privacy.

“These people have lost so much and faced so many challenges already.

“They came here from Zimbabwe and Nigeria.

“It is just heartbreaking.”

Speaking later on RTÉ, Fr Bradley added that there was a terrible feeling of “here we go again” in Buncrana today.

“We’ve had so many tragedies here, far too many like this. I suppose we are a beauty spot and because of that, it’s almost like there are sirens that call us into the water,” he said.

“These young lads I suppose just weren’t aware of the dangers. It’s beautiful, yes, but there are tremendous dangers, especially when the tide is pulling out, there are huge currents.

“Unfortunately they were not able to fight that, or maybe to understand how to go along with it until they could find a little eddy where they could maybe get out of the water.

“Who knows how any of us would react in such circumstances?

“The feeling among the community is one of great bewilderment and of solidarity too, and a great sense of loss.

“These are new parishioners. They’re not immigrants, they’re new parishioners, new members of our community.”

Following the incident, Lough Swilly RNLI expressed their condolences to the young men’s families and thanked those who assisted in the search.

“Everyone at Lough Swilly RNLI is deeply saddened at the tragic loss of life yesterday evening.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the two boys.

“Thanks to everyone who was involved in the rescue effort yesterday, all the volunteers and especially those that joined the search from Fahan Marina.”

Local county councillor Jack Murray said there were no words to describe how the community in Buncrana felt following the tragedy.

He praised the work of local volunteers as well as the emergency services who assisted in the search and rescue operation.

“Our emergency services have once again demonstrated courage and professionalism in unthinkable circumstances,” Cllr Murray said.

“We have been hit with so many tragedies and horrendous events in this area. Each time the emergency services are called upon, they stand up without fail.”

A prayer vigil is being held at 4pm today in St Mary’s Oratory, Buncrana, to offer support to the families and the local community.

Cllr Joy Beard, who attended the scene on Saturday evening, said the community is in shock and disbelief.

“This morning we awoke to the devastating news that a second teenager involved in yesterday’s tragic events has sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning,” she said.

“As a community, we are devastated beyond words to have lost two young lives so full of promise.

“We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to their families, friends, and all those affected by this unimaginable loss. In the days ahead, we will stand together to support one another in grief and in love.”

A spokesperson for gardaí said their investigations were ongoing. The local coroner has been notified of the teenagers’ deaths and post-mortem examinations will be arranged in due course.