'Remarkable' Oxford student, 21, drowns in year abroad tragedy in Guadeloupe

Oxford University student Antonio Gato, 21, had travelled to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe for his year abroad when he tragically died while swimming at a beauty spot

A "remarkable" Oxford University student has tragically died in a suspected drowning during his year abroad in Guadeloupe.

Antonio Gato, 21, was studying French and Spanish at St Catherine's College and had travelled to the Caribbean island, which is an overseas region of France, for a year. The third-year student, from Hull, East Yorkshire, arrived on the island at the beginning of last month.

He is understood to have gone swimming in the sea at a well-known beauty spot when he suddenly went missing. A search operation, involving the coastguard, police and fire crews, was launched in the area of Malendure beach in Bouillante.

Sadly, on October 18 his body was found in the water, 25 metres from the beach. His family are understood to have travelled to Guadeloupe after his tragic death. The Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages at Oxford University said it was "deeply saddened" to share the news of his death.

The university described the student as "an extremely warm and friendly individual" who was "very well liked" by everyone who knew him. The university said in a statement shared on October 31: "The Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages is deeply saddened to share the news of the death of Antonio Gato, third year student of French and Spanish at St Catherine's College, on Friday 18th October. Antonio was on his year abroad in Guadaloupe.

"Antonio was known to and very well liked by all members of the Faculty who knew him - and there were many. His tutors, teachers and fellow students spoke highly of him as a very bright and intellectually engaged member of the Faculty, who took his learning of French and Spanish very seriously, and as an extremely warm and friendly individual. Members of staff within the Faculty offices also knew and admired Antonio, speaking to him frequently before and after classes. All are greatly saddened by his loss."

Faculty Board Chair, Prof Jonathan Thacker, offered his and the whole Faculty's condolences to Antonio's family and friends together with the community at St Catherine's College, saying: "Although I did not have the pleasure of teaching Antonio personally in his two years in the Faculty learning French and Spanish, I have spoken to many staff and students in the past few days who knew and loved him and are devastated at his death. Antonio will be remembered in the two sub-faculties to which he belonged, French and Spanish, as a fine student and a wonderful person who was taken from us too soon."

In a separate statement, St Catherine's College said Antonio was President of the College Ethnic Minorities Society last year - and was shortlisted nationally for the top 10 Undergraduate of the Year Awards by Rolls Royce. Pro-Master Professor Bart van Es said: "The whole community of St Catherine's was shocked and deeply saddened at the news of Antonio's death. He was a loved and special person and many students have been in touch with their memories of him. As Pro-Master, my thoughts are very much with his family and close friends."

Reflecting on Antonio, Dr Jessica Goodman, Director of Studies in Modern Languages said: "Antonio was a remarkable student. We knew he was something special at his interview, and he continued to make a huge impression on everyone who came into contact with him from then on. Immensely focused and hardworking, he was also generous with his insights and eternally curious, taking an evident delight in all areas of his studies.

"His positivity was infectious, and was accompanied by a steely determination to do his absolute best: he would doubtless have gone on to do great things. He is a huge loss to all of us, leaving a big hole in our community at Catz and in Modern Languages in particular. We will miss him enormously, and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends."

The college also shared a reflection by Antonio on his experience of joining Oxford University, which he previously wrote for The Oxford African and Caribbean Society in his role as PR Officer. Speaking to his fellow students, he said:

"Starting uni exposed me to the magic of first times. The first steps into independence, the first friendships that feel like family, and the first encounters with new experiences. These moments now hold a special place in my heart. No matter how challenging the journey may become, they serve as a reminder of the magic that life has to offer overall.

"So, savour these moments. Do it all. Embrace the unknown, because within it lies the potential for extraordinary friendships, unexpected opportunities, and a life filled with the kind of magic that only 'first times' can bring."