Hundreds of students formed an honour guard on the Greek island of Ios today as the bodies of the two Irish teenagers who died over the weekend were taken to Athens for autopsies, reports RTE.
Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall, both 18, celebrated the completion of their Leaving Certificate with up to 90 classmates from St Michael’s College, Ballsbridge in Dublin.
Andrew disappeared after a night’s sleep on Friday and his body was found in a rocky field on Sunday.
Hours later, Max was found unconscious near the port and died. He had previously had heart problems.
Up to 1,000 people, including classmates, friends and students from other schools, are believed to have lined the harbor out of respect today as the remains were ferried over.
A former president of St. Michael’s College Union, Tom McCormack, said about 60 classmates travelled to Athens with the coffins along with the teenagers’ families, reports RTE.
As a symbol of friendship, yellow roses were placed on the coffins before the remains were transported by ferry.
Mr McCormack said some students returned from Greece last night and attended a prayer service in the school chapel at noon today.
A second service will be held at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live online, reports RTE.
A book of condolences was opened for each teenager at St. Michael’s College and wreaths were laid outside the school gates.
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