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6 Gambians die in boat fire
13/11/2007 07:22 - (SA)
Banjul - Seven Gambians died when a fire broke out on a boat, which was due to transport them to Spain to find work, said police on Monday.
According to police officer Burahma Dibba: "Seven people are confirmed dead. Some of the victims drowned while trying to escape from the inferno" on Saturday.
He said some of those injured in the blaze were taken to hospital - although it was unclear how many. All those on board were Gambian.
Two people had been arrested over the incident, which took place in Sarro region, located some three kilometres south of the capital, Banjul.
Police suspect the fire was started by one of the migrants smoking a cigarette on the boat, which was laden with fuel for the journey to Spain.
It was only the latest tragedy concerning migrants from Africa trying to get to Europe through the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.
More than 31 200 immigrants arrived there last year, more than tripling the previous annual record, and at least 8 400 had made port there so far this year.
Gambia, a small English-speaking country nestled inside Senegal with a 220km long coastline, had become one favoured departure point for migrants.
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