An Olympic sailor was involved in a tragic accident while training at sea on Sunday.
Eya Guezguez, 17, was sailing with twin sister Sarra when their vessel capsized due to strong winds. Sadly, Eya was killed by the incident while her sibling survived.
Both sisters teamed up last summer to represent Tunisia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, finishing in 21st place in the 49er FX event. Given their age, both were tipped to appear at more Olympic Games in the future.
The news of her death was reported by the Daily Mail following a tweet by Tunisian journalist Souhail Khmira, who wrote: 'Eya Guezguez, Tunisian Olympic Windsurfer, has passed away today after an accident at practice. May she Rest In Peace."
The @EttachkilaTN account added: "Barely 16 years old, our sailing champion Eya Guezguez died today following an accident during training for the national team. We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones. Rest in peace. Allah Yarhamha."
School friend @Yoonpiter___ paid tribute, saying: "Since we study in the same high-school it was really hard for me to take the news, can't believe before the winter holidays, we gave her and her twin an award during an event I participated in, I may not know her that well, but the idea of being her friend really crossed my mind."
Journalist @Scoulino also used social media to express condolences: "Sad news," she wrote. "Sailor Eya Guezguez, 17, died on Sunday while training with her twin sister Sarra. Rest in peace!"
Eya and Sarra competed at the delayed summer games in Tokyo alongside esteemed opponents. In their class, it was the Brazilian duo of Kahena Kunze and Martine Grael who took gold.
German pair Susann Becke and Tina Lutz won silver, while Annemiek Bekkering and Annette Duetz had bronze. The sisters themselves were bottom of the standings, with a score of 234.
However, simply qualifying for the Games had been deemed an achievement, and Eya's promising career has now been tragically cut short. She had hoped to accompany her sister to the World Championships later this year in Nova Scotia, in Canada.
She would also have been likely to have qualified to represent her country at the next Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, by which time she would have been 19.
Many reacted to the news by simply posting "allah yarhamha," on social media, which translates to 'May God have mercy on her.'
