Incident Overview
A Canadian teenager died after drowning during a high school swim class in Montreal.
Fourteen-year-old Blessing Claude Moukoko was discovered submerged in the pool after
the class ended and was rushed to the hospital.
Medical Outcome
Despite CPR and emergency care,
Moukoko suffered severe brain damage and
died six days later, according to reports.
Coroner’s Findings
A coroner’s report urged schools to overhaul swim programs,
stressing that water safety — not instruction — should be the priority.
The investigation highlighted failures in supervision and awareness during the class.
Public Response and Call for Change
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante expressed grief, saying, “It just breaks my heart.”
She added, “let’s make sure that our kids know how to behave in water” and that schools have
“enough resources so they can make sure that everybody’s safe.”