Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Standard, Kebba Sawaneh, head of Sawaneh Kunda family in Ebo Town and father to one of the deceased, Buba Sawaneh, 20, said: “I received information of the tragic boat accident from a Gambian in Tripoli through a phone call who said my son was among those who died at sea. I still cannot believe what has happened because I have been calling relatives in Italy and Libya and most of them could not give me any clear indication of whether my son is dead or not. There are those who even told me that my son may have arrived safely in Italy. My family and I are very sad but I leave everything in the hands of God.”
Also, a friend of the Danso Kunda family of Ebo Town told The Standard that Pabi Danso, son of Ismaila Danso, was among the dead. He said the family was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy because the deceased Pabi Danso was the breadwinner of his family.
Bamba Janneh, a native of Kachang in Upper Baddibu, told The Standard through a telephone call that at least four people from his village have reportedly perished in the boat accident.
He added: “Many people died in the tragedy from other villages including three people from Kinteh Kunda, three people from Salikenni and one person from Jaasori all in the North Bank Region”.
A native of Brikama, Modou Sarr, is also said to have met his untimely death in his attempt to enter Italy. Family and friends thronged to his family compound to pay condolences to the grief stricken family members. The father of the deceased is Buba Sarr, a policeman currently attending training abroad.
The popular online society portal Whatsongambia over the weekend reported that Lamin Fadera better known as ‘Gerrard’, a football player with Nema City FC of Serekunda East also died.
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