A heart-wrenching tragedy struck Bundung over the weekend as the body of four-year-old Abdoulie Keita was recovered on Sunday, more than 24 hours after floodwaters swept him away during heavy rains. The young boy went missing on Saturday afternoon while walking home from Quranic classes, slipping into a water-filled ditch near a dilapidated bridge connecting Bundung and Sukuta.
Eyewitnesses described the horrific moment when Abdoulie fell into the surging waters of the Bundung-Kotu stream, sparking an immediate and desperate search operation.
Local volunteers, Gambia Fire and Rescue Services, the Bundung Borehole Ward Development Committee, Red Cross volunteers, WACA officials, and media outlets joined forces tirelessly to locate the child.
Ward Councillor Lamin Darboe led the response, with the community rallying together in the hope of a miracle.
After an exhaustive search, Abdoulie’s body was found on Sunday and transported to Kanifing General Hospital’s mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
National Assembly Member for Bundung, Sulayman Jammeh, confirmed the tragic outcome, expressing gratitude to all those who participated in the recovery efforts. “On behalf of the people of Bundung and the grieving family, I extend our deepest appreciation to all who tirelessly participated,” Jammeh said. The boy’s burial is scheduled for Monday morning.
The incident has reignited long-standing concerns about the bridge’s dangerous state, where the accident unfolded. Residents have repeatedly warned that the structure becomes a deadly hazard during the rainy season, with floodwaters turning ditches into treacherous traps.
Community members are now demanding urgent action from the government and local authorities to repair the bridge and strengthen flood prevention measures in the area.
This tragedy underscores the broader issue of inadequate infrastructure in flood-prone regions, with calls growing for immediate interventions to protect vulnerable communities.
As Bundung mourns the loss of young Abdoulie, the community’s grief is coupled with a resolve to prevent such heartbreak in the future. Authorities have yet to comment on specific plans for infrastructure improvements, but the pressure is mounting for tangible solutions to ensure the safety of residents, especially during the rainy season.
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