search boats at Buncrana Pier searching for a missing person. (North West Newspix)
The body of the young man was recovered from the water off Buncrana just before 10 pm last night.
It is understood the discovery was made between Ned’s Point and Fahan.
It followed a major major multi-agency operation which went on for a number of hours after the alarm was raised.
The alarm was raised by a member of the public at around 4pm after the group encountered difficulty while swimming in Lough Swilly.
Two other teenagers were rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital with one described as being in a serious condition.
One managed to swim to shore while the other was plucked from the sea.
There was heartbreak on the shoreline on Saturday evening as light fell and relatives waited for news on the missing teenager.
Approaching nightfall, the body of the young male was recovered.
Local county councillor Jack Murray said the community was numb with news of the tragedy.
The tragic incident once again brought a tremendous response from both local volunteers and members of the emergency services.
Two RNLI lifeboats were assisted by teams from Mulroy and Greencastle coastguard units with further help by up to a dozen local yachts.
The multi agency search included the Rescue 118 helicopter from Sligo along with the RNLI lifeboat from Buncrana and a number of local yachts.
Councillor Murray said: “Our emergency services have once again demonstrated courage and professionalism in unthinkable circumstances.
“We have been hit with so many tragedies and horrendous events in this area.
“Each time the emergency services are called upon, they stand up without fail.”
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