Dakar, Senegal – A Sierra Leonean national, identified as Sallieu Sesay, has died in a suspected explosion aboard a fishing trawler off the Senegalese coast, sparking calls for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to a fellow crew member, smoke was first spotted rising from the lower deck while the crew worked on the upper deck. When workers attempted to investigate, the captain allegedly blocked them, claiming the smoke came from the “madam’s kitchen.”
The eyewitness said frantic efforts to locate Sesay proved futile. Attempts to access his sleeping quarters failed as intense heat engulfed the lower deck.
The crew was later told by a supervisor that Sesay was “sick,” but after the fire subsided, Chinese crew members reportedly entered the lower deck and discovered Sesay’s body, burned beyond recognition.
Workers also allege that an emergency door, usually kept open, had been locked. They claim the Chinese crew delayed informing others about the discovery and instead tied a rope to Sesay’s feet to drag his remains onto the deck.
Shaken by the tragedy, the workers are demanding a thorough inquiry, questioning why only their Sierra Leonean colleague perished while others on duty escaped unharmed.
