Raised in Malaysia since birth, Mohammad Faisal Miah, 22, was a Bangladeshi student enrolled in a science degree course, majoring in electrical engineering, at Ryerson University in Canada.

Faisal, who could not swim, was visiting a beach in Mexico with a group of friends when he was found drowning by lifeguards. Doctors at a hospital later confirmed that he had died.

His body remains in the hospital, which has refused to release it for repatriation until its charges are settled.

The charges include US$5,000 (about RM22,300) in hospital fees and US$750 (about RM3,300) for use of the ambulance.

The family has also been told it will cost US$16,000 (RM71,300) to repatriate the body to Bangladesh for burial.

Faisal’s friends said he was diligent and “extremely driven”, making the dean’s list and never missing a lecture, while juggling a part-time job during his co-op placement.

His cousin, Nur Al Mahdi, who grew up with him, said Faisal’s father was a land surveyor with YTL and the family had been in Malaysia since 1994.

Faisal’s friends have since set up a campaign to help raise funds to repatriate his body, details of which may be found here.