Tributes have poured in for two Irish teenagers who died within hours of each other while on holiday in Greece to celebrate the end of their exams.
Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall, both 18, had graduated from St Michael's College secondary school this year and travelled to the island of Ios as part of a large group.
During a night out on Saturday, Andrew became separated from a friend while walking back to their accommodation and was reported missing.
His body was found at around 9.20am the following day on rocks in a field, showing signs he had slipped and hit his head.
Max, who has a history of heart problems, is believed to have collapsed near the island's port that afternoon after hearing about the death of his friend.
Despite the best efforts of medics, he was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Local police confirmed that two inquiries are underway into the double deaths with family members flying into the party island. Both men were found several hours apart.
A regional police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "We understand that Max who was discovered in the port had a history of heart problems.
"Friends who were with him described him collapsing on hearing about Andrew. They were close.
"This is about as near as it gets to an ancient Greek tragedy."
The alarm was initially raised when Andrew failed to show up at the accommodation the school had rented for the trip.
"Police were brought in immediately but the search took many hours before his body was located in a gully in [the area of] Germanoli," the officer said referring to one of the steep water passes that run below the island's cliff top town.
"We are working on the premise that he slipped and hit his head."
The bodies of both teenagers will be sent to the port of Pireaus, outside Athens, where postmortems are expected to be conducted.
"The autopsies will tell us more although right now we are ruling out anything suspicious," said a source on the island.
Devastated locals have paid tribute to the two classmates, with Leinster Rugby saying that people were "in shock" at the news of the two "young men gone far too soon".
Today, principal of St Michael's College Tim Kelleher said that representatives of the school's parent association had flown to the Greek island to support the families.
"We're absolutely devastated, the entire community is reeling with the news over the last 24 hours," he told RTE's Morning Ireland.
"Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to the bereaved families, some of the parents association reps have flown out to the island to give them some support in their time of need."
He described Andrew as a "fantastic young man, great sportsman, fantastic footballer" who was academically bright, and was forward to his holiday and to attending college.
"A very, very bright future," he said.
He described Max as "very bright", "passionate about rugby" and had "the world at his feet", adding: £Full of optimism and hope for the future.
"Unfortunately both families got the news yesterday that their future had been taken from them and we're obviously devastated for them, their family and friends, and we're here to help and support in any way we can in the next days and weeks."
He said that the group of classmates who had been on holiday with them are "absolutely traumatised" and are on their way home.
The school is open, there is a book of condolences open and supports are available to those who need them, added the principal.
Four bouquets of flowers have been placed at the Dublin school; the Irish tricolour and the school flag are being flown at half mast outside the front door.
Mr Kelleher continued: "We are heartbroken. We are a tight-knit community and these are two fantastic young men with their whole lives ahead of them.
"Bright, sporting, academic men, who had their whole lives ahead of them," Mr Kelleher continued.
"There are hundreds and hundreds of families this morning plunged into deep, deep sadness because of what has occurred and again we are reeling with it.
"It's exactly the nightmare that every parent dreads when group holidays and big groups of children go away.
"You just don't want to get that call to say your child is missing.
"But two of our families have had that call and we are devastated for them, and our hearts are broken and our sympathy goes to them all."
The past president of St Michael's Union Tom McCormack said it was the "darkest day" in the history of the Dublin school.
"It was a devastating day, we've been heartened by the huge volume of messages of support from government ministers, councillors, senators, other schools.
"Our sister school, St Mary's, eight years ago had the Berkeley tragedy and we are now experiencing our darkest day."
The school said in a statement on Sunday that it was "a day of immense sadness for the school", and said their thoughts were with the family and friends of the two boys.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said the news emerging from Greece was "devastating".
"Thinking of the families and friends of Andrew and Max and all Leaving Cert students abroad in Greece who were enjoying holidays after exams and are now encountering such shock and pain and grief," he said on Twitter.
"I know we all hold them in our hearts tonight."
As a mark of respect, several bars on the island remained closed on Sunday.
Kate O’Callaghan Zakheou, who is from Co Cork and runs the Sweet Irish Dream club, told the Irish Times.: "It’s just devastating. Everyone is absolutely devastated."
Another Irish bar owner said: "There are about a thousand Irish young people on the island at the moment.
"I have been helping them contact their families, the embassy. Everyone, the whole island, is in deep shock."
The school encouraged students who want to know more about available supports to contact staff members.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman confirmed it is aware of both cases and is providing consular assistance.
"As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases," it said.
