Digital Phablet

Tag: drowning

  • At least 31 Dead in Gambia New Year’s Migrant Boat Disaster

    At least 31 Dead in Gambia New Year’s Migrant Boat Disaster

    On New Year’s Eve off the coast of Gambia, at least 31 individuals drowned when a boat overloaded with undocumented migrants capsized, according to local authorities. The death toll has since increased, with the government reporting that many others are missing and presumed dead.

    The government provided an update, stating that recovery efforts have confirmed 15 bodies in Gambia and 16 in Senegal. Additionally, 102 people were rescued, with 23 requiring hospitalization. The tragedy highlights the perilous journeys undertaken by thousands, predominantly young people, attempting to reach Europe from West Africa. These journeys often involve overcrowded, decaying boats heading mainly towards the Spanish Canary Islands, driven by visa restrictions and heightened border enforcement.

    Recently, migrants have been forced to depart from Ethiopia and Guinea, further south along the coast, which has extended and complicated their sea crossings amid increased maritime patrols by Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco. During this latest incident, a vessel carrying more than 200 individuals issued a distress call on the night of December 31 into January 1 near the North Bank region. The Gambian Navy responded promptly, launching a search involving multiple ships and a fishing boat. The damaged vessel was eventually located on a sandbank.

    The government’s statement notes the grim outcomes of the search, with confirmed recoveries and the rescue of over a hundred survivors. President Adama Barrow expressed national mourning over the disaster.

  • Senegal Migrant Boat Capsizes, Over a Dozen Lives Lost

    Senegal Migrant Boat Capsizes, Over a Dozen Lives Lost

    A boat carrying approximately 100 people capsized near Mbour, resulting in at least 12 fatalities. Authorities report that 32 survivors have been found, while others may have escaped before rescue crews arrived. President Faye has expressed his condolences, and efforts to locate additional survivors are ongoing. In related patrols, police intercepted 123 migrants aboard a vessel in Senegal’s Thies region on Tuesday.

  • Egyptian Cinematographer Taymour Taymour Dies in Drowning Accident

    Egyptian Cinematographer Taymour Taymour Dies in Drowning Accident

    The artistic community is mourning the loss of Egyptian director of photography, Taymour Taymour, after his passing was announced last night on the North Coast of Egypt.

    Details surrounding the circumstances of Taymour Taymour’s death were confirmed by Dr. Ashraf Zaki, the head of the Actors Syndicate in Egypt. Zaki reported that Taymour Taymour tragically drowned while attempting to save his son from drowning.

    Taymour Taymour

    Additionally, director Ibrahim Hamouda shared on his official Facebook page: “A martyr of fatherhood… drowned while trying to rescue his son. It was a cruel, painful, and heartbreaking scene—a truly terrifying scenario. May God have mercy on director of photography, Taymour Taymour, and grant his family patience and comfort.”

    A friend of the late director of photography recounted the final moments of his life to Youm7, explaining that Taymour was spending his summer vacation at a tourist village in Ras El Hekma when the incident occurred. The friend added that Taymour was able to save his son, but unfortunately, he drowned immediately afterward in a tragic accident.

  • Inquest Reveals Drowning of Pakistani Sisters on UK Varsity Hike

    Inquest Reveals Drowning of Pakistani Sisters on UK Varsity Hike

    Hajra Zahid and Haleema Zahid. —Family

    LONDON: An inquest has revealed that two sisters from Rawalpindi, Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25, tragically drowned on June 11 while visiting Eryri National Park in North Wales with their university friends.

    The sisters were found in water pools along the Watkin Path, a popular route to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon.

    Their funeral prayers took place in Northern England on Tuesday evening, with their remains returned to Pakistan the following day.

    Having arrived in the UK four months ago to pursue master’s degrees at Chester University, the sisters were originally from Kahuta and were raised in Gulzar-e-Quaid, Rawalpindi. They were residing in Maltby, Rotherham at the time of their passing. Hajra was married to Hasham Minhas, and they had two young sons, ages six and three.

    A family member expressed their grief to Geo News, saying, “The family is devastated. There are conflicting accounts from the police and the university. The police indicated that one sister drowned, and the other perished while trying to save her, but one sister’s body was found floating while the other was located ten minutes away. Witnesses said they both entered the water together, yet the police have not provided any updates and are not assisting the family.”

    Assistant coroner for north-west Wales, Sarah Riley, stated, “Hajra and Haleema traveled to the Nant Gwynant area with their university friends. They entered the water and, sadly, both lost their lives to drowning.”

    The inquest was informed that the University of Chester students were identified by a friend.

    Riley added, “Investigations are ongoing regarding the circumstances of their deaths, leading to the adjournment of the inquest to allow for further examination. My heartfelt condolences go out to their family, friends, and everyone who knew and cared for them.”

    The inquest hearing took place at the Dafydd Orwig Chamber in Caernarfon, and both women were pronounced dead shortly before 11 PM on June 11.

    A spokesperson for North Wales Police confirmed they received a call around 9:30 PM reporting one woman had been rescued from the water while another remained missing. The second woman was later found but was declared dead at the scene. A mountain rescue team from Llanberis, along with an air ambulance and coastguard helicopter, were dispatched to assist.

    Professor Eunice Simmons, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, stated, “The University of Chester community is mourning the untimely loss of Haleema and Hajra. We extend our deepest sympathies to their families and friends during this profoundly challenging time. Haleema and Hajra joined Chester Business School earlier this year to pursue a Master’s in International Business. Their presence touched many lives here at Chester, and they will be sorely missed.”