Ramatoulie Jegan, Zainabou Jegan, Mam Ass Jegan, Godou Gorr, Muhamed Dem Jegan, Modou Jegan, Sering Jallow, Ebrima Gai, Burama Singhateh, Sainey Badjie, Muhamed Jegan and Alpha Jallow sustained burns in the accident along with the deceased.
In an interview with The Standard at EFSTH yesterday, a brother to the proprietor of the company, Habib Njegan revealed: “There was an electric shock about 15 metres from where the victims were filling gas. The secretary called them for help and when they came they forgot they had gas on them and caught fire as they reached the area causing burns. It was not a gas explosion as reported because not a single gas exploded. We brought them here in the morning and they have been receiving good treatment. The minister of health Omar Sey was here to see them yesterday. He bought them medicines that are not available at the hospital here and in the morning too he came to see them with food. We are doing our best to support them and we are very grateful to the minister for his efforts”.
Meanwhile, talking to The Standard, the acting director of Health Services, Dr Samba Ceesay said: “The conditions of the victims are really stable now. Only four of them have severe conditions and they have been moved to the intensive care unit and unfortunately one of them passed away due to multi-organ failure. Others admitted at the theatre are responding to treatment. We are coping with the situation. We have to commend the management and staff of the hospital (EFSTH) for putting the situation under control. We can confirm that the total number of people involved in the accident were 13; one passed away remaining 12. Of those, 9 are admitted at minor theatre, and four at the ICU. They are doing well as the hospital is providing them with the required medical attention.”
Asked specifically whether the burns are life-threatening, Dr Ceesay who earlier visited the patients at the hospital alongside the health minister, said: “No, they are not life-threatening. They are superficial burns which can be treated and managed here in The Gambia.“
The deceased was interred yesterday in Banjulinding.
Sainey Marenah contributed to this story.
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