A 14-year-old student from Canada tragically drowned after remaining unnoticed at the bottom of a swimming pool for approximately 38 minutes during a school swim class, according to official findings.
A report released Monday by the coroner, and covered by the Montreal Gazette, called for major reforms to school swimming instruction in response to the February death of eighth-grade student Blessing Claude Moukoko.
On February 15, Moukoko was taking part in a mandatory swim class at Montreal’s Centre Père-Marquette when he reportedly sank in the deep end of the pool without anyone noticing. His classmates only discovered his body after the class had ended. He was removed from the water and CPR was administered before paramedics transported him to Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital.
By that point, Moukoko had suffered severe brain damage. Despite all medical efforts, he never regained consciousness and passed away six days later, according to CTV News.
The coroner’s findings stressed the need to place greater emphasis on water safety and active supervision in school swim programs, rather than depending solely on traditional instruction. The report pointed to significant flaws in supervision and resource allocation, which contributed to the failure to notice a student in crisis.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante expressed deep sorrow over the event, telling the Gazette, “It just breaks my heart. It’s hard for me to think about this teacher who was there when it happened. It’s just terrible.” She added, “We need to make sure our children understand how to behave in water, and that schools have the resources necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Following the incident, both the coroner and public officials have urged schools to strengthen lifeguard qualifications, reduce the number of students per supervisor during aquatic sessions, establish more effective monitoring systems, and ensure staff are trained to identify and react to subtle signs of drowning—many of which can easily go unnoticed.
The tragic death of Blessing Claude Moukoko has become a catalyst for parents and advocates demanding immediate policy changes, emphasizing that constant supervision, sufficient staffing, and comprehensive water safety education must become essential elements of all school swimming programs.
