The tragic death of a 9-year-old boy during a school outing has shocked the community in East Flanders. On 2025-06-20 14:27:00, the free primary school Sint-Franciscus in Waasmunster informed parents that Fisal, a fourth grader, had passed away after a critical accident at De Nekker park.
- Free primary school announces student's death
- Nine-year-old boy reported missing during outing
- Boy found unconscious in swimming pond
- Boy resuscitated and hospitalized in critical condition
- Judicial investigation launched for potential negligence
- Victim recently arrived from Syria, new student
Fisal, who had only been in Belgium for about a month and recently enrolled at Sint-Franciscus, went missing around 3 p.m. during the school trip. After a human chain search, he was found unconscious in a swimming pond and was immediately resuscitated before being rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Despite efforts, he died during the night from Thursday to Friday.
What exactly happened remains unclear, prompting the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office to open a judicial investigation into possible neglect. This raises urgent questions about child safety during school activities and the responsibilities of those supervising children. How can schools better protect young students on outings? And what measures will be taken to prevent such tragedies in Belgium?
This heartbreaking incident highlights critical concerns about supervision and safety protocols during school excursions. It also underscores the challenges faced by recently arrived migrant children integrating into Belgian schools. Key points to consider include:
- The importance of thorough risk assessments for school outings
- Ensuring adequate adult-to-child ratios and emergency response plans
- Supporting vulnerable children, especially newcomers, in unfamiliar environments
As investigations proceed, schools and policymakers must review and strengthen safety measures to protect children during activities outside the classroom. How will this tragedy shape future protocols, and what lessons can Belgian schools learn to safeguard every child?
