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Momodou
Denmark
11832 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Sep 2010 : 21:44:01
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This is a very sad and scary incident. The authorities should be able to identify what mark the grenade was and if it is one that belongs to any of the security forces. My condolences to the bereaved family and may the soul of the deceased boy rest in peace.
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'Grenade' explodes in yundum
by Musa Ndow
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Residents of New Yundum in Kombo North, Western Region were on Tuesday evening thrown into panic when a suspected grenade device exploded in the hands of a 10-year-old boy (name withheld), resulting to his instant death.
This sad incident happened at around 5PM.
Narrating the incident to this reporter who arrived at the scene shortly after the explosion, Yassin Trawalley, the mother of the deceased said he was on his way from school -St Peters Primary School in Lamin, when he found and picked up the said device that looked like a bottle. She said the boy's elder sister told her [the mother] that she saw the device with the boy, but thought it was a normal small bottle and made no attempt to take it from him.
According to the mother, when the little boy arrived at home, she served him his lunch and later asked him to go and attend his normal evening Arabic classes. She continued: "So when he returned from the Arabic classes, I heard him talking and I asked him whether they have closed and he replied in the affirmative. I then asked him to go and take bath. In the process of him preparing to get to the bath room to take bath, I heard an explosion. I then rushed out of my house and saw the body scattered into pieces."
The sound of the explosion could be heard almost a kilometre away.
Some of the security officers who later visited the scene could not say exactly what the exploded device was. Some suggested it was a grenade while others said it was a bomb. Meanwhile, the recovered parts of the body have been taken to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul.
Source: Daily Observer
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2010 : 23:05:46
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This is very sad indeed... Gambia isn't a war zone where bomb fragments lie around. Ideally, the source of this explosive would be known and at least a civil lawsuit would be pursued by the decreased family.
Children and toy-looking-bombs is a familiar story in certain parts of the world but Gambia... |
"When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2010 : 23:30:56
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Surely this is quite serious - why are there grenades at all? Why discarded and why for small children to pick up? There is no history (is there?) of violence whereby grenades would be just lying around?
Such sympathies to the mother and family who saw this devastation and must feel the loss so terribly. |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2010 : 00:06:22
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This is the result of weaponry. Arms and amunitions in senseless abundance. There is so much weapon in Gambia. For what, those who get them know better. Yundum Army Barracks is close to this scene.
So sad for a loving mother who cared till death parted mother and child.
It is very much likely that nothing comes out of this. |
Karamba |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2010 : 00:08:29
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Tragic this is the last thing one would expect to happen in Gambia and my heart goes out to the family who must be in complete shock. Just to imagine seeing your child explode in front of your eyes is just too horrific to bear. It's horrific.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2010 : 08:57:41
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| This is so sad. Shocking. My thoughts are with the family. |
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Momodou
Denmark
11832 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2010 : 18:42:36
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Daily Observer Editorial: 'Grenade' explosion
Friday, October 01, 2010
A 10-year-old boy in Yundum Tuesday lost his life when a device suspected to be a grenade which he found on the street while returning from school exploded. We extend our condolences to the bereaved family.
We wish to call on the authorities particularly the military to mount an investigation to find out how the device found its way into the street. Many people are of the view that the device must have dropped mistakenly from a soldier. This view is buttressed by the fact that the explosion occurred not too far from a military base. Besides, we know it is only the armed forces that possess such weapons. We also know that every weapon has a serial number, while any weapon removed from the armoury is recorded. Records should therefore simply be followed to find out which weapon is missing and who was in possession of it.
It is highly alarming that explosive devices which should be in safe custody can now be found on the streets. If the exploded device belonged to the military, then we can say without doubt that the tragic incident was a result of gross irresponsibility and sheer recklessness on the part of some of our soldiers and as such should not be left lying low. That a young boy lost his life was bad enough; imagine the carnage that would have taken place if the device had exploded among a group of children, or inside the house where an entire family was converged.
This is a country known primarily for its peace and security; in a peaceful society, such weapons are not meant to be found lying on the streets. The fundamental question must therefore be answered, how did the device get to the streets?
Source: Daily Observer
SECURITY AGENCIES to investigate 'grenade' explosion
by Musa Ndow
Friday, October 01, 2010
Security agencies, notably the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) and the Gambia Police Force (GPF) say they will investigate the 'grenade' explosion that killed a 10-year-old boy on Tuesday evening in New Yundum.
Lieutenant Omar Bojang, the public relations officer of GAF told the Daily Observer that they will investigate to ascertain the actual cause of the explosion, explaining that it can only be done through ballistic analysis. He also said they will have to get experts to confirm which type of ordinance it was that exploded. "All the security forces are working to gather evidence," PRO Bojang disclosed, adding that the area where the device exploded is not a war zone to warrant such things happening there.
For his part Sulayman Secka, the public relations officer of GPF promised to get back to the press for detailed information on their investigation.
Source: Daily Observer |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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