Yankuba Kijera, whose father died in the fatal Banjul-Barra boat accident, has spoken of his shock at hearing the news on Friday. 

His father, Bora Lamin Kijera was killed along with seven other passengers. Speaking to The Point Newspaper, the police spokesman, ASP David Kujabi disclosed that a man believed to be the captain of the boat was the only survivor, and he is currently being held as police try to investigate the cause of the accident. 

Yankuba told What’s On-Gambia that losing a father is the most devastating thing a boy can go through. “I miss him so much!” 

His father, a native of Nyani Bani, was on his way to Senegal to buy tobaski rams for the family.  The teenager recalled: "I was with a friend at Senegambia. He received a call and was just looking at me. Then my mobile rang and he tried to stop me from answering. It was my brother and he told me that dad was dead. It was a very difficult moment for me.” 

Yankuba urged the authorities to place more emphasis on the prevention of accidents and fatalities at the popular Banjul-Barra crossing. 

“Some of these small boats are not safe!” he said. 

Meanwhile, the Acting British High Commissioner, George Sherriff has issued a statement to pay his respects to the families and friends of the victims: 

“The British High Commission expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of those who lost their lives in the tragic boating accident on Thursday evening that claimed eight lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.”