A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Montreal when 14-year-old Blessing Claude Moukoko drowned during a high school swimming class, spending an estimated 38 minutes unnoticed at the bottom of the pool. The incident occurred on February 15 at the Centre Père-Marquette, where the eighth-grader was taking part in scheduled swimming lessons. It wasn’t until the class had ended that classmates saw his body submerged in the deep end.
Staff pulled him from the water and immediately began CPR while waiting for emergency responders. Paramedics rushed him to Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, but the lack of oxygen had caused severe brain damage. Despite medical efforts, Moukoko never regained consciousness and passed away six days later.
A coroner’s investigation released months later called for sweeping changes in how swimming is taught in schools. The report emphasized that water safety, rather than just swimming technique, should be the primary focus of lessons. It stressed the importance of teaching students how to recognize and respond to dangerous situations in the water, as well as ensuring that schools have the resources and training to keep all participants safe.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante expressed her sorrow, noting the deep impact on everyone involved. “It just breaks my heart,” she said. “It’s hard for me to think about this teacher who was there when it happened. It’s just terrible. So let’s make sure that our kids know how to behave in water, and let’s make sure school boards have enough resources to ensure everyone’s safety.”
The tragedy has sparked conversations across the city about the adequacy of supervision in school swimming programs and the need for stricter safety protocols. For Moukoko’s family, friends, and community, his loss is a devastating reminder of how quickly a life can be taken and how vital it is to prevent such accidents in the future.
