SINGAPORE: The student from St Joseph’s Institution ( SJI ) International who died during a school trip to the Maldives has been identified as 15-year-old Singaporean Jenna Chan.
CNA reported on the trip’s connection to a whale shark research project on Friday ( Nov 8 ).
The girl was snorkeling when she was struck by a ship off the beach of Dhigurah, which is located about 100 kilometers west of Male, according to Maldivian news outlet The Edition.
” It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of a Grade 9 Singaporean student, 15-year-old Jenna Chan, during a National Youth Achievement Award ( NYAA ) overseas expedition in the Maldives” , , Dr Michael Johnston, SJI International’s chief executive officer told CNA in an update on Saturday.
” Our souls go out to Jenna’s family, friends, and the whole school community during this dreadful time”.
The child’s home has travelled to Male with a group led by the great school superintendent.
Dr. Johnston stated that the school ‘ grief support and counseling services for the wider school community are also operational as of this weekend and beyond. He added that he is unable to provide additional information as the Yemeni authorities are conducting their inquiries.
” We continue to give priority to helping Jenna’s community and our students and staff through this difficult day.” In addition, we ask that the mother’s private be preserved during this difficult time.
According to SJI International’s site, the school offers exterior training programmes – termed “expeditions” – for its primary and high school areas.
The National Youth Achievement Award is a compulsory component of its Grade 9 education, the web stated.
A blog on the college’s Facebook page in November 2023 showed Grade 9 individuals on “deep-sea snorkelling and resilience training” in the Island, as well as others in Japan and Langkawi in Malaysia.
For more information, CNA has contacted the Maldives Police Service and the Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.