The spectacular musical jamboree organised by Africell, one of the
country’s GSM operators, as part of activities marking celebrations of
the New Year (2009), ended in tragedy.
The event organised at Africell Head Offices along Kairaba Avenue,
resulted in the death of 4 individuals, namely; Fatoumata Camara, a
Sierra Leonean; Mai Trawally, a resident of Latrikunda Yiri Nganya;
Fatou Chuba of Latrikunda German and Momodou Jallow of Bakau. 12 others
were also said to be seriously injured.
Speaking to the Daily Observer, Ebou Ndow, a husband to one of the
deceased Fatou Chuba, said he conveyed his wife to the programme and
promised her that he would come back to the venue before the fireworks
would start around 12:00am.
According to him, when he came back to the programme around 12:00 am,
he search for his wife every where but could not see her. He said he
tried to call her mobile but to no avail.
"The tension was high at the venue and I went back home, thinking that
my wife will come back soon. But after a while, I received a call
informing me that my wife was admitted at the Royal Victoria Teaching
Hospital in Banjul," Mr Ndow explained. He said he then rushed to the
RVTH and found that his wife had passed away. He said he subsequently
informed his family about it. He added that the deceased was laid to
rest on Thursday evening.
Kumba Singhateh, an elder sister to Mai Trawally, said simply her
sister had fallen down and people stepped on her. According to Kumba
Singhateh, her sister’s neck and left hand were broken and she also
suffered severe pain on her chest.
For his part, Papa Leigh, Marketing and sales Manager at Africell, said
it was not Africell’s intention to organise a programme where such
incidents will occur. He said it is God’s decision and that his
company has also joined the rest of the people in sympathising with the
bereaved families.
Mr Leigh disclosed that Africell staff, on Thursday evening, visited
the bereaved families to extend their condolence. When contacted, the
police spokesperson, ASP Sulayman Secka, said the Inspector General of
Police hadj2 instituted a panel of six police officers, headed by the
Crime Management Coordinator, Commissioner Yankuba Sonko, to look into
the circumstances surrounding the stampede.