By Buba Gagigo
One hundred and two Gambians, including four girls, who were attempting to reach Spain by sea have been detained in Senegal after their boat was intercepted by Senegalese naval forces last Thursday.
“On Thursday, October 19th, 2023, at 3:00 AM, we embarked on a backway voyage from Nuimi Lamen in the North Bank Region of Gambia. As we were sailing, we were intercepted by the Senegalese Navy at 2:00 PM in the middle of the sea. We were all transferred from our boat to their patrol vessel, where we remained until 9:00 PM. We were then transferred to a larger naval vessel and taken to their main seaport, arriving at 1:00 AM on Friday, October 20th, 2023.” one of the migrants told Kerr Fatou.
He said they were later taken in by the Senegalese police force for questioning.
“They asked us who the captain of the boat was, but we told them that we didn’t know. We asked them to help us contact our ambassador, but we still haven’t heard from them. We haven’t eaten since Friday morning. We are appealing to the government to help us,” he said.
The boat is said to be carrying 109 migrants, 102 Gambians and Seven Senegalese.