A police spokesperson in Banjul on Thursday evening revealed the
identities of three young ladies and one young man that died during a
stampede at a musical programme organised by a private GSM company
(AFRICELL) on New Year’s eve in Latrikunda, a suburb of Serrekunda,
about 12km from Banjul, the capital.
According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sulayman Secka, the family members of the deceased have on Friday identified their loved ones whose bodies were lying at the mortuary at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul. Secka added that the Inspector General of Police, Essa Badjie, has set up a panel consisting of investigators to investigate the circumstances leading to the death of the four youths who were named as; Fatou Kamara a Sierra Leonean who lived in Tallinding, Momodou Jallow of Bakau, Mai Trawalleh and Fatou Chouba of Latrikunda German, all in Kanifing Municipality.
ASP Secka indicated that 13 other victims of the stampede were taken to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital for treatment, adding that only three of them were hospitalized, but two of them were treated and released later on Thursday.
He said the police have so far interviewed some of the eyewitnesses who witnessed the stampede. He however did not throw light on what the eyewitnesses told the police.
Thousands of people attended this musical programme which resulted in the death of these young people.