Two learners from Hoërskool Birchleigh in Kempton Park drowned at a Durban beach on Sunday during a school trip.

According to the Gauteng Department of Education, the boys were in Grade 10 and 12.

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said he was shocked by the incident.

According to Lesufi’s office, learners from the school were in Durban to take part in a rugby tournament and were scheduled to return home on March 31.

“On Sunday morning, the learners and several teachers went swimming at a Durban North beach, where some learners were reportedly assisted to shore by lifeguards after experiencing challenges in the water.

“After a headcount, it was realised that two learners were missing,” the department said in a statement released on Monday afternoon.

The department stated learners were accompanied back to their accommodation while the teachers searched the vicinity for the missing learners.

“The search went on until the evening with no success, after which the educators opened a missing persons’ case at Durban Central Police Station.”

On Monday, the educators were informed that the bodies of the two missing learners were discovered somewhat 2km north of the beach from where they went swimming the previous day.

“Police are investigating circumstances surrounding the incident. The deceased learners are from Birchleigh and Thembisa respectively,” the department confirmed.

A psycho-social unit was dispatched to counsel the school community of Hoërskool Birchleigh.

“This counselling will continue when the learners return from Durban.

“It’s tragic that a positive sporting school trip that our learners passionately participated in ended in such a tragic manner. We convey our most heartfelt condolences to the two affected families and the school community at large,” said Lesufi.

Kempton Express‘ attempt to contact the school at the time of publishing was unsuccessful.

[MEDIA STATEMENT] @EducationGP1 MEC @Lesufi is disheartened by an incident involving two Grade 10 and Grade 12 boy learners from Hoërskool Birchleigh who passed away after allegedly drowning at the beach during a school trip in Durban on Sunday, 27 March 2022. | @Steve_Mabona pic.twitter.com/vs9v1C8AMc

— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) March 28, 2022