Enagh drowning tragedy: Joint funeral for teenagers Joseph Sebastian and Reuven Simon

The 16-year-olds, who have been named locally as Reuven Simon and Joseph Sebastian, had been swimming at Lough Enagh on Monday evening when they got into difficulty.

There have been calls for improved safety measures at the lough where they drowned.

They were from the city’s Indian Keralan community, and had been due to return to St Columb’s College after receiving their GCSE results last week.

The Strathfoyle community are to hold a candle-lit vigil tomorrow, Thursday, at 8.15pm at St. Oliver Plunkett’s Chapel, offering solidarity and prayers for the families of the teenagers. The joint funeral is to take place for the close friends this Friday.

St Columb’s principal Finbar Madden described them as “exemplary young men” in a statement on Facebook.

“Both boys were mature beyond their years and had excelled in their recent GCSE examinations,” he said.

“They were very close friends who had been in the same form class since they joined us in 2017.

“Whenever you met Joseph or Reuven, you were greeted with a warm and friendly smile.

“It should come as no surprise, therefore, to learn that they had a large circle of friends and were deeply respected by their peers and those members of staff who were fortunate to have taught them.”

Flowers have been left at the scene of the tragedy – where the bikes the boys were riding remained – on Tuesday.

Stephen Twells from Foyle Search and Rescue (FSR) told the BBC Radio Foyle that safety measures around Enagh Lough should be reviewed and improved,

He said warnings should include the fact that there is deep water there with drop-off edges. He added that signage could include guidance on what to do if you get into difficulty and that there should be better availability of life rings around the whole area.

Mr Twells said the biggest danger of going into a lake is that lake or quarry water is much colder than rivers and the sea.

“Cold water layers have a higher density and are below the slightly warmer water so you can put your hand in and think the water is warm but it quicker becomes cold and that’s the biggest killer - cold water shock,” he said.

“There are steep sloping banks people aren’t aware of and they go from 3ft (1m) to 6ft to 12ft quickly.

Michelle McLaughlin, who runs activities on Enagh Lough, said there were no signs about the dangers of swimming in the area.

“I have been on that piece of water for 30-odd years but since lockdown the number of people using it is massive,” she added.

A book of condolence is open at Londonderry Guildhall and can be signed at https://bit.ly/3Rocyzn

The joint funeral will at St Mary’s Church, Ardmore, Londonderry at 11am on Friday.