Derry drownings: Friends pay tribute to lough tragedy teens

The victims have been named locally as Joseph Sebastian (left) and Reuven Simon

Friends have paid tribute to two 16-year-old boys who drowned in Londonderry.

Reuven Simon and Joseph Sebastian died after getting into difficulty at Enagh Lough on Monday evening.

People from the city's Indian Keralan community gathered in the Waterside area of Derry today to remember them.

A book of condolence opened to the public on Wednesday and there is a candlelit vigil planned on Thursday.

The remains of the two boys have been returned to their families with their wake taking place at Saint Columb's Church in the Waterside.

'A huge part of us is gone'

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster, friend of the boys Priya Biji, said it was "more than difficult to accept" and that "a huge part of us is gone".

She said: "They were both such good boys, there was not a fault about them.

"They were always so well mannered, so respectful, and always put others before them, they were so selfless.

She added: "Both of them would always find a way to put a smile on our faces."

Mourners gathered at St Columb's Church in the Waterside to remember the two boys

Joseph Joy grew up alongside the boys and said he is "absolutely devastated".

He said: "Everyone is just absolutely shattered, nobody was expecting this at all."

Another friend, Eliza Saji, added: "They had their entire lives ahead of them, it's a loss for everyone, particularly their families."

Jossy Aji from the Kerala Association described the boys as "the loveliest kids" she has ever known.

Family friend, Jossy Aji from the Kerala Association, said: "I have no words, they are like my son. I have seen them growing up, they were the loveliest kids I have ever known."

Safety measures

Meanwhile Foyle Search and Rescue (FSR) have said have said that safety measures around Enagh Lough should be reviewed and improved, Foyle Search and Rescue (FSR) have said.

Stephen Twells from FSR said warnings should include the fact that there is deep water there with drop-off edges.

He added that signage could include guidance on what to do if you get into difficulty and that there should be better availability of life rings around the whole area.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the deaths were a reminder of the dangers of open water.

NIFRS area commander Mark Deeney said the lough was a deceptive stretch of water.

He told BBC Radio Foyle rescuers from the fire service were working 5m (16.4ft) away from the jetty in depths of 4m (13.1ft).

"It can become very easy to get out of your depth very quickly, when you consider the geography of the incident on Monday night, the location where the boys entered the water initially starts out very shallow, you can actually see the bottom, but very quickly the water depth increases dramatically," he said.

People should avoid swimming in open courses of water, particularly where they do not have the right equipment, the area commander said.

The boys, who were from the city's Indian Keralan community, were pupils at St Columb's College and had received their GCSE results last week.

They had been part of a group who had decided to go swimming while out cycling.

Derry's mayor Sandra Duffy also said she would like to see improved safety measures around Enagh Lough.

"I know there are life belts out around the lough, I know there is at least one sign - maybe that is what we should be looking at to make sure the warnings are adequate, that young people do see them," she said.

"Those children, those young boys went out thinking they were doing something safe and fun, and it didn't end that way."

Michelle McLaughlin, who runs activities on Enagh Lough, said there were no signs about the dangers of swimming in the area.

It is believed the boys went out cycling before stopping to swim in the lough

"There are noticeboards with life rings which get vandalised sometimes," she told the BBC.

"I have been on that piece of water for 30-odd years but since lockdown the number of people using it is massive," she added.

The BBC has contacted a number of agencies to establish who is responsible for safety measures at the lough.

In a statement, the Loughs Agency said it supported any measure that would increase safety at Enagh and offered its deepest condolences to those affected by Monday's tragedy.

But it added that it had no control over water users other than anglers and that it did not own or lease the lough.

• Two teenage boys drown in lough tragedy

A joint funeral for the boys will take place on Friday with Requiem Mass at 11:00 BST in St Mary's Church, Ardmore, Derry.

Deacon at St Mary's, Shaun Doherty said the tragedy had devastated the community.

"This type of loss is so rare and so painful that our hearts just go out to the family, friends and the wider community who are suffering at this terrible time," he said.

There will be a candlelit vigil at St Oliver Plunkett, Strathfoyle on Thursday at 20:15.

The book of condolence will be open to the public at the Guildhall from 16:00 BST and can also be signed online.