In a tragic incident that has deeply affected Montreal, 14-year-old Blessing Claude Moukoko lost his life after drowning during a high school swimming lesson. The heartbreaking event happened on February 15 at Centre Père-Marquette while Blessing took part in a routine eighth-grade swim class.
Shockingly, Blessing remained underwater for about 38 minutes without being noticed. It wasn’t until the class ended and students exited the pool that some classmates saw his lifeless body in the deep end. Staff quickly pulled him out and began CPR while waiting for emergency responders. Despite rushed treatment and transport to Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, the extended lack of oxygen caused irreversible brain damage. Blessing never regained consciousness and passed away six days later, leaving his loved ones and the community devastated.
A coroner’s report released months later highlighted major failures and called for urgent changes. The investigation stressed that school swimming programs should prioritize water safety education, teaching students how to recognize danger and respond swiftly to emergencies—not just swimming techniques.
It also emphasized the critical importance of sufficient, well-trained supervision, including enough lifeguards and staff with proper water safety training. Since the report, conversations in Montreal have turned to concerns about supervision during school swims and how prepared teachers and safety personnel truly are.
Mayor Valérie Plante sorrowfully expressed her grief and vowed to push for stronger safety measures. She urged schools to ensure children learn safe water behaviors and that adequate resources are dedicated to prevent such tragedies.
Water safety advocates are calling for standardized safety protocols in all school pools, such as designated water safety lessons, better lifeguard-to-student ratios, emergency drills, and clear communication during sessions. Many experts also suggest teaching drowning prevention skills within physical education classes.
Blessing’s family and community describe him as a shining, joyful young man whose sudden loss leaves a profound void. They have organized vigils and remembrance events while demanding that his death lead to real change.
This heartbreaking event is a stark reminder that drowning can happen quietly and quickly, even in supervised environments. It serves as a powerful call to improve vigilance and training to protect children around water. Though Blessing cannot be brought back, committing to concrete safety reforms would honor his memory by preventing future tragedies.