The Gambia Police Force has taken in for investigation senior officials of a Quranic school in Sinchu Alagie, where a tragic fire outbreak occurred recently leaving a 12-year-old student dead and another in a critical condition presently hospitalised.
The fire outbreak which occurred at Sinchu Alagie Daara (Quranic school) led to the admission of two students to Edward Francis Small Teachers Hospital (EFSTH), where 12-year-old Abubacarr Mbacke sadly passed away, while 11-year-old Muhammed Njie remains in critical condition.
Following the incident, the Gambia Police Force (GPF) has taken into custody the head of the school, Ebrima Hassan Cham, along with two teachers, Alagie Jobe and Omar Cham, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire outbreak.
During the course of the investigation, Alagie Jobe admitted that the two boys had previously absconded from the Daara and were subsequently returned by their parents. As a means of preventing any further escape, the boys were allegedly chained and locked inside the dormitory where the fire broke out.
While the investigation continues, the police strongly advise all educational institutions, specifically “Daara”, to implement strict fire safety measures and to uphold the welfare and rights of children placed under their care.
