A 17-year-old pupil from Hampton School in Richmond upon Thames has died in tragic circumstances during a school trip to Malawi. Eugene Enoch Kwon's life was cut short after he drowned while snorkelling in Lake Malawi on Tuesday, 13 July 2026, sparking an immediate and extensive search operation.
The incident occurred in the Cape Maclear area of Monkey Bay, where Eugene had been snorkelling with other Hampton School pupils. Superintendent Patrick Mussa from the Eastern Region Police Headquarters revealed that an extensive search was launched after he went missing, with divers eventually locating him underwater.
Eugene was rushed to Monkey Bay Community Hospital for urgent medical attention but sadly could not be saved. The Malawi Police Service has confirmed the cause of death as suffocation due to drowning and has extended its condolences to Eugene's family, stating that investigations into the circumstances are continuing.
Hampton School has confirmed the tragic loss of one of their students, with a spokesperson expressing "deepest sympathies" to the bereaved family and loved ones. The school's priority is now to support Eugene's family and the entire school community affected by this profound loss.
This devastating incident comes just weeks after another London pupil, Umar Dumbuya, died in Wales during a Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition on 30 June 2026. An investigation and inquest are currently underway for that incident, highlighting concerns over safety in school-related outdoor activities.