Buncrana drowning tragedy: ‘Absolute heartbreak’ in Donegal following death of ‘wonderful’ teenagers

Two teenagers, Emmanuel Familola (16) from Nigeria and Matt Sibanda (18), who was from Zimbabwe, died after getting into difficulty off the coast at Buncrana, close to Ned’s Point on Saturday, May 10.

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.

The teenagers involved in the incident were international protection applicants who had lived in the area with their families.

Both teenagers attended school in Buncrana as Matt was a student of Crana College, while Emmanuel attended Scoil Mhuire.

Emmanuel had just completed Transition Year.

Just last week he completed a work experience in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin.

Ruth Garvey-Williams, from community centre The Exchange which supports asylum seekers, has been working with the families of both boys, and described the deaths as a “dreadful tragedy”.

She described Mr Sibanda as a “wonderful young man, kind and caring”, and a very good student who was about to take his Leaving Cert and was looking forward to college.

She said Emmanuel was a “gentle giant” who volunteered at The Exchange, and looked out for others.

“This is a such a dreadful tragedy to hit our community, and especially for those who are asylum seekers, who come here for safety… and have faced the worst day of their life with a loss, both mothers, the loss of their eldest son, so there’s heartbreak, absolute heartbreak here,” she told the BBC.

“These are amazing people who have fled terrible tragedies in their home countries, and have come to find safety here in Buncrana, and then to face this – it is every mother’s worst nightmare.”

She paid tribute to the wider Buncrana community for rallying around the families, adding the response has been “heart-warming”.

Meanwhile, a fundraiser has been launched to help cover the funeral costs of the two teenagers.

Following the tragedy, Inside Inishowen launched a fundraiser in support of the families of the two teenagers.

The fundraiser reads: “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 cover the funeral costs for their 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 fundraiser was launched on Monday evening and has already raised over €5,000.

In a statement online, Scoil Mhuire said he was “ambitious and full of potential” while also appreciative of the opportunities he was given and he never failed to show gratitude.

“There are no words that can fully capture the pain and sorrow we are feeling right now, We are truly heartbroken.

“Emmanuel embodied the true ethos of Scoil Mhuire.

“He was known for his warm personality, gentle humour, and thoughtful nature.

“He immersed himself fully in our school community and was highly regarded by staff and students alike.

“Emmanuel had just completed Transition Year and was looking forward to starting his Senior Cycle.

“Just last week he completed a work experience in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin which he thoroughly enjoyed.

“He was ambitious and full of potential, always appreciative of the opportunities he was given and he never failed to show gratitude.”

Meanwhile, Crana College said entire community school community, including students, staff, Board of Management, and parents, are heartbroken following the tragic events that occurred in Buncrana on Saturday.

Matt joined the school in January 2024 and he was preparing to sit his Leaving Certificate.

“It is with deep sorrow that we confirm the loss of our beloved student, Matt Sibanda, who tragically lost his life at sea.

“Our heartfelt condolences go to Matt’s family, who are grieving the unimaginable loss of their cherished son and loved one.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had said it was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Emmanuel Familola of Scoil Mhuire in Buncrana over the weekend.

Emmanuel participated in the Department’s Global Ireland Young Leaders Programme last week, where he was one of 30 Transition Year students from across the country learning about the work of the Department and meeting officials engaged in different parts of the Department’s work.

In a statement, the Department said, “Emmanuel was very evidently a bright, engaging and popular young man and his passing comes as a great shock to everyone who spent time with him last week.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his school, his community and all his many friends.”

Funeral details are yet to be confirmed.

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,” he said.

“A heartbreaking loss of two young lives.

“Thinking of their families, friends, the local community and the first responders at this devastating time.”

The incident unfolded at around 4pm on Saturday when six teenagers were gathered at Ned’s Point in Buncrana when three of them entered the water.

The three young males got into difficulty with one of the males making it back to the shore, while two others remained in the water.

A number of people raised the alarm, and two RNLI lifeboats were launched immediately from the two stations in Buncrana.

The Coastguard issued a ‘mayday’ alarm and asked for any vessels in the vicinity to come and assist.

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.

“That continued for possibly an hour and the decision was made then by the National Ambulance Service to transport him by road to Letterkenny University Hospital.

“Unfortunately, he subsequently passed away in the early hours of this morning,” said Mr Joyce.

At this stage, the search was continuing on Lough Swilly.

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The local yacht club in Buncrana was holding a race on the water at the time of the incident and the race was abandoned as those vessels opted to assist in the search.

The multi-agency search operation, which included a drone team and local boats from the Foyle Marina, consisted of about 60 rescue service personnel who searched the water for almost six hours.

“The involvement of the local boats allowed us to cover a vast area of the Lough in a very quick period and we ran a number of searches up and down the Lough,” said Mr Joyce.

After 9pm, the team started to lose light and were preparing to wind down the search until low tide at midnight, when a body was found in the water close to the former Fruit of the Loom factory, a place known locally as The Fishing Greens.

The body was returned to Buncrana Pier where his family and a medical team were waiting.

Parish Priest Fr Francis Bradley had prayed over the water at various times of the evening and was providing support to the family.

Mr Joyce continued, “Fr Bradley had come along and he anointed him.

“The family had been on the scene all day and the scenes at the pier were heart wrenching.

“Unfortunately, we did not get the resolution we were looking for but we were able to return two people to their family and maybe give them a bit of closure,” said Mr Joyce.

Mr Joyce said the thoughts and prayers of Lough Swilly RNLI are with families of the young men.

“Our hearts go out to the mothers there who lost their sons.

“While it is no comfort, we were at least able to return the two teenagers to their loved ones,” said Mr Joyce.

On Sunday afternoon, the community of Buncrana gathered together in a large and sombre crowd for a vigil in memory of the two teenagers who tragically lost their lives in the drowning incident.

Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, led the service at St Mary’s Oratory in Buncrana.

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.”

Upon learning of the tragedy, Crana College and Scoil Mhuire immediately activated their Critical Incident Plans and the schools reopened as normal on Monday, with extensive supports in place for those affected.

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.

Since the incident, tributes have been paid to the two young men.

Donegal Intercultural Platform said the team will be focusing on offering support and care to the families and all the residents.

“It is deeply tragic to mourn the loss of two boys, Matt and Emanuel, in Buncrana.

“Our deepest condolences to the families and the residents of IPAS centres and the wider community.

“Our thoughts also go out to the boy’s school friends, teachers and the centre staff who are all doing what they can to ease the pain and loss.”

To donate to the fundraiser, click here