A Gambian migrant has died after a boat carrying a group of Sub-Saharan migrants capsized near Lampedusa. This incident reportedly occurred in the presence of a Tunisian fishing vessel that failed to assist the struggling migrants.
The deceased has been identified as Sana Camara, from Wellingara Tabokoto. He was part of a group of migrants hailing from The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Conakry who departed from Sfax, Tunisia, at around 3 a.m. on Friday, March 8, in an attempt to reach Europe. After nearly 23 hours at sea, the boat began taking on water about 30 kilometres from Lampedusa due to strong winds and engine failure, ultimately leading to its capsizing.
According to Ebrima Migrant Situation, which first reported the incident, a nearby Tunisian fishing boat did not provide immediate assistance. Instead, those struggling in the water were allegedly beaten with wooden sticks to prevent them from boarding. It was only hours later that the fishing boat reportedly rescued the survivors and handed them over to the Tunisian Coast Guard, who then transferred them to the police.
Camara and two infants reportedly lost their lives in the incident, and the whereabouts of 32 other migrants, primarily men, remain unknown. Eyewitnesses reported that these migrants were stripped almost naked, had their hands tied behind their backs, and were placed on a bus to an undisclosed location.
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