A 7-year-old boy has drowned during a school trip at the De Mosten recreation centre in Hoogstraten (Antwerp Province). The boy, who attended a school in the Antwerp district of Borgerhout, had been missing for some time before his body was found in a lake used for swimming at the recreation centre that is in the far north of Antwerp Province. On the penultimate day of the school year the 7-year-old and his classmates had been taken to De Mosten for a day of fresh air, sun and fun. However, what should have been an enjoyable day turned to tragedy when the little boy’s body was retrieved from the water. All attempts to revive the boy were to no avail.
At around 3pm on Thursday the police and the fire service received reports that a 7-year-old boy had gone missing at the De Mosten’s swimming lake. After a short search lifeguards from De Mosten found the boy in the water. Attempts to revive him stated immediately and paramedics were at hand. However, the boy died at the scene.
The police cleared the recreation centre of visitors straight away. The boy’s classmates and teachers were offered assistance by the Noorderkempen Local Police Service’s Victim Support Unit. The Antwerp Local Police Service’s Victim Support Unit informed the boy’s parents and offered them support.
"Increadible tragedy"
The Mayor of Hoogstraten Marc Van Aspen (local list) told VRT News that "What should have been a nice summer day turned into a real nightmare. The worst thing that could have happened here today. Our hearts go out to the parents that experiencing indescribable suffering and to his family and friends, teachers and other staff from the school. We are also providing support to the staff at De Mosten. They too are deeply upset by this tragedy”.
The prosecutor’s office is investigating the exact circumstances. Mr Van Aperen says that at the time the tragedy occurred there were between 700 and 800 visitors at the recreation centre. Although this is a good number, the centre can accommodate around 2,000 visitors. The mayor adds that there were sufficient lifeguards present on Thursday afternoon.