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Presidency says 52 Gambians died in Mauritania boat wreck

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In this file photo taken on October 11, 2017, African migrants arrive at a naval base in the Libyan capital Tripoli, after they were rescued from a rubber boat by coastguards off the Libyan coast of Sabratha. (AFP Archive)

Fifty-two Gambians have lost their lives in a Mauritania boat wreck that killed at least 58 people on Wednesday, a statement from the Presidency said.

“It is with great sadness that we learn of the tragic boat accident off the coast of Mauritania that claimed the lives of many Gambians,” said a statement from the Gambian leader.

“His Excellency, President Adama Barrow has earlier been briefed that the boat originated from Barra, North Bank Region, and fifty-two (52) Gambians lost their lives whiles eighty (80) others survived.”

The presidency said the Government is working with the United Nations International Organization forMigration and will dispatch a delegation to Mauritania at the earliest possible time to investigateand gather more information on the accident.

“President Barrow expresses heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prays for the departed souls to Rest In Peace,” said the statement.

The boat was said to be carrying 195 migrants including 19 Senegalese. Saikou Ceesay, the spokesperson of the foreign ministry informed Kerr Fatou that 77 Gambians have survived the accident.

The authorities from the foreign ministry said on Thursday that 54 people were unaccounted for.

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