In Monday’s shipwreck near Mauritania, at least 43 Gambians have survived and 15 have perished, including a pregnant woman.
Numerous Gambians were saved, according to Ndumbeh Saho, Director of Migration and Diaspora Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diaspora, and Gambians Abroad. She stated that the individuals are presently undergoing medical care at a hospital in Mauritania.
43 of the 180 passengers have made it out alive so far, 4 of them are children, and several more are said to be missing.
A catastrophic maritime catastrophe in Mauritania has left many people dead or missing, as well as victims. On July 22, 2024, some 300 passengers boarded a pirogue in The Gambia and spent seven days at sea before the boat capsized close to Nouakchott. In a news release on Wednesday, the International Organization for Migration stated that 120 people had been rescued by the Mauritanian Coast Guards, and that search operations for the missing passengers were still ongoing.
Sadly, 15 persons were confirmed dead when they arrived, the statement continued. Ten of the survivors had their medical needs immediately referred to hospitals, and four unaccompanied and separated children had been identified. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stepped in right away to give the survivors crucial support.
A migrant activist named Ebrima Drammeh said Foroyaa, “43 Gambians survived and 15 dead, including a pregnant woman and her husband, whose 4 kids survived.”
He said that, in contrast to previous accounts, the boat left from Nuimi Berending in The Gambia.
He claimed that as more and more bodies of migrants wash up off the shore of Mauritania, the number of dead keeps rising.
“As rescue operations continue, several people are missing with no sign of life,” he continued.
While Muhammad Danjo and Muhammad Jarra are from Suduwol and Dingiri, respectively, the majority of the migrants who made it out of the Upper River Region are from Khalidou Jaw, Yusupha Jaw, Yusupha Touray, Ebrima Fisiru, Saikou Trawally, Saikou Sumbundu, Haji Sumbundu, Fatima Sidibeh, Bintou Siddibeh, Ebrima Sidibeh, and Muhammad Sidibeh.
Alhagie Morro Jammeh, a native of Sanunding, and Ebrima Darboe, a local of Jiroba Kunda, were among the others.
Bamadi Camara, a resident of Niani Fula Kunda; Ebrima Jabbie, a local of Kayai; Muhammad Jallow, a native of Kuntaur; and Ebrima Jatta, a native of Jarumeh Kuta, were the four individuals from the Central River Region.
Of the survivors, four are migrants from the North Bank Region: Modou Lamin Bah, a native of Ndungu Kebbeh; Sainey Jammeh, a local of Bakindinki Koto; and Momodou Jatta and Malang Jatta, inhabitants of Essau.
Some are from the West Coast Region and the Greater Banjul Area, and one migrant is from Kiang Masembeh.
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) are among the migrants who perished, according to the activist.
This terrible incident happened during a period of increased migration via the West Atlantic Route, where many people try dangerous travels in quest of better prospects or to flee challenging circumstances back home.
In the meantime, survivors are receiving medical attention at the hospital thanks to a partnership between the Gambian embassy in Mauritania and its allies.
Activist Drammeh reported that another development occurred last Wednesday, July 17, when the Mauritanian coast guard stopped another migrant boat that was leaving Niumi Betendi.
About 140 Gambians and Senegalese, including women and children, were on the boat that was traveling to the Spanish Canary Islands.
“Everyone was rescued without any injuries, and they are in excellent condition,” he continued.