Families in Bakau are mourning the loss of loved ones after a tragic boat incident claimed over a dozen lives. These individuals, traveling on a migrant boat, were found in waters near Dakar, Senegal.
One of the victims, Amie Jarju, a 36-year-old hotel worker, left behind two children. Her siblings recounted that she boarded the boat on August 12th, and they had not heard from her since.
Another family in Kachikally, the Jaiteh family, lost four members, including a young man named Faburama Gassama, who had recently completed his studies. The head of the family, Sambou Jaiteh, expressed his grief and urged young people to avoid such dangerous journeys, though he understood their desire to support their families.
Other families across the community are also grappling with loss. Mam-Ngor Njie believes his 19-year-old daughter, Sohna, was among the victims. He called on the government to address the underlying factors driving young people to undertake these perilous journeys.
Six others, including friends and relatives from the same household, are feared dead. Among them were Ebrima Kebbeh, Saja Leigh, and a Malian national named Manziro Kone. Elderly woman Musu Jobarteh also confirmed the loss of her daughter and grandson.
More grieving families have come forward, including Ndey Corr, who lost her daughter Adama, and Baboucarr Jallow, whose nephew perished. Many of the victims had made previous attempts at migration or held dreams of better lives abroad.
The community is left devastated, with many calling for the government to create more opportunities at home, as the tragedy highlights the growing desperation among the youth to seek better lives through irregular migration.
