The family of a British-Singaporean schoolgirl who died in an incident involving a boat propeller while on a school snorkelling trip nearly two months ago are still waiting for an explanation of what happened from the authorities in the Maldives.
The death of 15-year-old Jenna Chan on 8 November was reported on Divernet. She had been taking part in a snorkelling project with British-registered charity the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme, accompanied by other pupils from Singapore school St Joseph’s Institution (SJI) International on a trip led by the school’s principal.
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SJI students had visited the Maldives the previous year for “deep-sea snorkelling and resilience lessons” that formed part of the school’s compulsory National Youth Achievement Award training, equivalent to the Duke of Edinburgh Award in the UK.
‘Silence from the Maldives’
The fatal incident occurred between the Lux Maldives Resort and Dhidoo in South Ari Atoll. Jenna was pronounced dead on arrival at nearby Dhigura Health Centre, with police promising to conduct an investigation.
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“There has been silence from the Maldivian government and all news about her has ceased,” writes Alice Chan, 17, on a GoFundMe page started for her younger sister. “The circumstances leading to her sudden death and negligence of the company is truly shocking to our family and her teenage friends, who witnessed her death.
“Please help support us during this tough time for our family and loved ones, and spread the word about her case. All donations will go towards our fight for Jenna and protection of all future children and tourists, by providing our Maldivian lawyers with the legal fees and financial support to take more cases just like this one. Justice for Jenna.” The site has so far raised £5,160 of a target £10,000.
No-phones policy
According to the group, Jenna and her friends had been told to enter the sea just before the boat’s engine was started and the vessel reversed into them, dragging her beneath the surface.
Jenna’s parents Alan Chan and Jennifer Liauw told press that they had been unable to contact their daughter during the trip because the school had imposed a no-phones policy.
They claim that the Maldivian authorities had failed to offer the opportunity of a post-mortem examination of their daughter’s body following the incident, and that witness statements from other students and teachers had not been shared with them, leading them to believe that “no real investigation” was being undertaken.
They also referred to a “chain of errors” that they allege had occurred throughout the trip. “It’s almost Christmas and we still have no answers,” said Alan Chan. “We want to know what happened.”
Also on Divernet: Prop severs female diver’s leg in Maldives, Prop death – dive widower files lawsuit, Diver hit by dhoni prop
