At least 16 Gambians are confirmed dead in one of New York City’s deadliest fire incidents.
The Sunday evening fire at a Bronx high-rise apartment building has left at least 17 people dead and is considered the deadliest New York City blaze since 87 people perished in March 1990 in the Happy Land social-club arson attack, which took place less than a mile away.
In a statement on Thursday, the Gambia’s foreign affairs ministry says additional five people died making it 16 in total.
Those confirmed dead are Isatou Jabbie, 31, Hagi Jawara, 47Ousmane Konteh, 2, Sera Janneh, 27, Seydou Toure, 12, Haouwa Mahamadou, 5, Haji Dukuray, 49, Haja Dukureh, 37, Mustapha Dukureh, 12, Mariam Dukureh, 11, Fatoumata Dukureh, 5, Fatoumata Drammeh, 50, Foutmala Drammeh, 21, Muhammed Drammeh, 12, Nyumaaisha Drammeh, 19, Omar Jambang, 6, and Fatoumata Tunkara, 43.
” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad wishes to update the general public on the latest information from our Mission in New York, and Embassy in Washington D.C on the fire outbreak in a Bronx apartment, on Sunday 8 January 2022.
New information available to the Ministry indicates that the death toll has increased. Five (5) more people of Gambian origin passed away, making it sixteen (16) in total. In the next few days, funeral arrangements will be made for the deceased. The New York authorities have established a center to guide survivors in accessing all forms of assistance they need.
The mission is ready to process travel documents for families and victims who may want to travel to The Gambia for burial,” the foreign said in a news statement made available to The Alkamba Times.
