Photo: New York Times
By Landing Ceesay
The Bronx apartment building fire incident has claimed the lives of 11 Gambians, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad (MoFA) has confirmed.
The incident occurred in an apartment building in Bronx in New York City in the United States of America on Sunday.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad is deeply saddened to inform the general public that eleven (11) Gambians, including six (6) children, have died in the fire that broke in Bronx, New York on Sunday 8, January 2022,” MoFA confirmed in a statement on Facebook on Tuesday.
The apartment building ravaged by the fire is said to have been predominantly occupied by Gambian migrants.
“Latest information from our Permanent Representative in New York and Ambassador in Washington indicates that others are still missing but efforts are underway to locate them,” the statement added.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry further said that both the Permanent Mission and the Embassy in Washington are working with the authorities in the City of New York with a view to locating survivors and assisting the injured.
“They have also been in touch with the families concerned. Some have already been found and reunited with their families,” MoFA continued.
The Ministry sent its condolences to the grieving families for the tragic loss.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Gambia Government, sends its heartfelt condolences to the grieving families for this tragic loss. The Ministry prays for God’s infinite mercy and forgiveness on the departed souls,” MoFA concluded.
The MoFA assured to provide regular updates on the matter for the public.