By: Binta Jaiteh
Nine youths from Njaba Kunda in Baddibu have died in a migrant boat shipwreck, The Voice can authoritatively report.
The boat is believed to have set sail from M’bour in Senegal on 12 August 2024. It reportedly capsized before reaching the international waters.
Njaba Kunda native Bakary Trawally explained to The Voice that one of his relatives Omar Manneh was in the boat.
He said the deceased had been living with him for the past 15 years following the demise of his parents.
“We were not aware of his “Backway” journey,” he stated.
Another Njaba Kunda native Lang Masireh Trawally said his son was part of the dead.
“I have only two sons and the rest are girls,” he explained.
According to him, the victim used to assist him a lot, financially.
Bakary said his son experienced a lot of suffering in his quest to reach Europe.
“He embarked on this dangerous journey due to our poverty. I am very sad about his demise because his role in the family wasvery crucial. I am really heartbroken by the way he died,” he bemoaned.
Ba Saikou Kanteh said his children left The Gambia in search of a better live.
“No news was heard of them since. The children normally don’t inform anyone about their journey,” he stated.
He stated that the boat shipwreck had raised an alarm in the community of Njaba Kunda as everyone was deeply saddened when the news broke. He described the development as a disaster.
Natoma Jaiteh also said two of her children, who were supporting the family since the death of their father, have died in the boating tragedy.
“I Pray that Allah help them and grant them Jannatul Firdaws,”she remarked.
The Imam of Njaba Kunda, Alagie Seedy Muctarr Jaiteh, informed this medium that two of his grandchildren died through the “Back-way”.
He described the death of the nine youths as tragic and a huge loss to Njaba Kunda.