By Biran Gaye
At least 43 Gambians have survived and 15 died including a pregnant woman in the shipwreck off Mauritania on Monday.
Ndumbeh Saho, Director of Migration and Diaspora Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diaspora and Gambians Abroad confirmed dozens of Gambians were rescued, saying they are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Mauritania.
Out of 180 people on board, 43 survived so far, including 4 kids while several others are reportedly missing.
“A tragic accident at sea has resulted in a significant number of victims, deaths, and missing migrants in Mauritania. Approximately 300 people boarded a pirogue in The Gambia and spent seven days at sea before the boat capsized near Nouakchott on 22 July 2024. 120 people were rescued by Mauritanian Coast Guards, while efforts continue to locate the missing individuals,’ the International Organization for Migration said in a press release on Wednesday.
It added: “Tragically, 15 people were confirmed dead upon arrival. Among the survivors, ten people were urgently referred to hospitals for medical care, and four unaccompanied and separated children were identified. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) immediately intervened to provide direct and essential assistance to the survivors.”
“43 Gambians survived and 15 dead including a pregnant woman and her husband, whose 4 kids survived,”Ebrima Drammeh, a migrant activist, told Foroyaa.
He said the boat departed from Nuimi Berending in The Gambia contrary to earlier reports.
He said the body counts continue to rise as migrants’ bodies are washed off the coast in Mauritania.
“Several people are missing without any sign of life as rescue operations continue,” he added.
The majority of the migrants that survived come from the Upper River Region including Khalidou Jaw, Yusupha Jaw, Yusupha Touray, Ebrima Fisiru, Saikou Trawally, Saikou Sumbundu, Haji Sumbundu, Fatima Sidibeh, Bintou Siddibeh, Ebrima Sidibeh, Muhammed Sidibeh, all hailed from Kulari while Muhammed Danjo and Muhammed Jarra come from Suduwol and Dingiri respectively.
Others included Ebrima Darboe, a native of Jiroba Kunda, and Alhagie Morro Jammeh, a native of Sanunding.
Four people hailed from the Central River Region including Ebrima Jabbie, a native of Kayai, Muhammed Jallow, a native of Kuntaur, Bamadi Camara, a resident of Niani Fula Kunda, and Ebrima Jatta, a native of Jarumeh Kuta.
Among the survivors, four migrants, including Momodou Jatta and Malang Jatta, residents of Essau; Modou Lamin Bah, a native of Ndungu Kebbeh, and Sainey Jammeh, a native of Bakindinki Koto, all come from the North Bank Region.
Others come from the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Region, with a single migrant hailing from Kiang Masembeh.
The migrants who died include Lamin Danjo, Alhagie Kawsu Drammeh, Hadji Sidibeh (female), Modi Sumareh, Muhgammed Sidibeh, Sadibou Hydara, Mahmud Manneh, Samba Jawo, Abba Jarju, Samsideen Ndure, Musa Manneh, Alieu (Gunjur) and Modou (Gunjur), the activist reported.
This tragic event occurred in the context of increasing migration through the West Atlantic Route, where many migrants attempt perilous journeys in search of better opportunities or to escape difficult situations in their countries of origin.
Meanwhile, the Gambian embassy in Mauritania, in collaboration with its partners is providing survivors with medical care at the hospital.
In another development, the Mauritanian coast guard intercepted another migrant boat that departed from Niumi Betendi last Wednesday, July 17, activist Drammeh said.
The boat which carried about 140 Gambians and Senegalese, including women and children headed to the Canary Islands in Spain.
“They were all evacuated with no casualty, they are in good shape,” he added.
