Mexican School Contacts Parents of Elementary Student Who Drowned During Class After 2 Hours

Bereaved Family: "No Proper Explanation Even After a Day... Doubts Over Avoiding Responsibility"
Mayor Sheinbaum of Mexico City Begins Fact-Finding Investigation

According to major Mexican daily newspapers Milenio and La Jornada on the 8th (local time), Abner (6), a student at a school in the Magdalena Contreras district of Mexico City, died in the school swimming pool the previous morning. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] A student died during a swimming class at an elementary school in Mexico, but the school has sparked controversy for failing to properly explain the circumstances of the accident to the bereaved family for some time.

According to major Mexican newspapers Milenio and La Jornada on the 8th (local time), Abner (6), a student at a school in the Magdalena Contreras district, an autonomous municipality within Mexico City, died in the school's swimming pool the previous morning.

The Mexico City Institute of Forensic Medicine, which conducted Abner's autopsy, stated that clear signs typical of drowning victims were evident on Abner. However, local media reported that the school's lukewarm response has provoked anger not only from the bereaved family but also from the local community.

Abner's father, Juan Leonardo, posted a video on his social media (SNS) explaining the situation, saying, "My wife and I dropped off our child at 7:30 a.m. (on the day of the accident)," and "About two hours later, I received a call from the school saying that Abner had an accident in the swimming pool." The bereaved family claims they have not received any explanation about the cause of the child's death from the school since then.

Leonardo added, "We only received a statement expressing condolences to the bereaved family and saying that all swimming-related activities at the school would be suspended," and "We could not learn any detailed information." The bereaved family is protesting, suspecting that the school is trying to evade responsibility.

Furthermore, the bereaved family claims that the swimming instructor and school officials are refusing to admit any negligence. Upon learning this, the local community has also voiced criticism of the school's handling of the situation, according to local media reports.

That morning, the bereaved family held a protest in front of the school and submitted a request for an investigation to the Mexico City Mayor's Office and the Attorney General's Office, demanding that those responsible be identified and punished. Claudia Sheinbaum, Mayor of Mexico City, immediately tweeted, "I contacted Abner's father to inform him that our city's investigative agencies have begun fact-finding efforts," and "We express solidarity and condolences to the bereaved family."