Equatorial Guinea: Insights into the Shipwreck Incident in Bata
On 20 July 2024, a group of 90 passengers was rescued off the coast of Equatorial Guinea after enduring 19 days adrift at sea, initially believed to be a shipwreck. It was later revealed that the boat had been abandoned by its captain. The Red Cross provided essential aid, but the survivors face uncertainty regarding their future and repatriation.
On 20 July 2024, the National President of the Equatorial Guinea Red Cross was informed by government authorities regarding a shipwreck that occurred at the Rio Campo Cribi sea border between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, before dawn. Initial reports suggested that 90 passengers had claimed they were traveling for 19 days since 1st July 2024 in search of employment in Gabon. However, subsequent investigations revealed that the boat had not actually experienced an accident; rather, it had been left abandoned by the captain who feared arrest, leaving the passengers in dire conditions.
The rescued individuals consisted of a diverse group of 90 people: 47 women (30 from Benin and 17 from Togo) and 43 men (10 from Togo, 16 from Benin, 8 from Burkina Faso, 2 from Niger, and 6 from Nigeria). While one man tragically died, 89 others were rescued, many sustaining injuries due to exposure to harsh weather conditions during the two-week ordeal. The Equatorial Guinea Red Cross provided immediate first aid to the injured upon being alerted by the authorities.
Upon assessment, the Equatorial Guinea Red Cross reported that the 89 individuals were cramped in a small room at the Gendarmerie in Bata, initially intended for only four occupants. They were isolated because they lacked visas to remain in Equatorial Guinea and arrived without personal belongings, creating an urgent need for food, water, clothing, hygiene materials, and other essentials.
On 26 July, authorities announced plans to relocate the survivors to a COVID-19 management facility for better accommodation, but two months later, they remained at the Gendarmerie, albeit in a larger room. Initially receiving aid from various consulates and local NGOs, assistance dwindled significantly, with the Red Cross being the primary provider until the operation concluded in October 2024. Their future remains uncertain as discussions regarding repatriation have been ongoing with no clear resolution.
During a recent workshop, representatives from the Consulate of Benin confirmed that many of the affected individuals would likely be repatriated before the end of October 2024. Furthermore, embassies of the nationalities involved communicated the necessity to organize the return of their citizens.
The shipwreck incident on 20 July 2024 highlighted severe humanitarian challenges faced by the 90 passengers who had been abandoned at sea. While initial reports suggested a shipwreck, investigations revealed a grave misunderstanding of the circumstances, marking it as a case of abandonment by the captain. Despite the provision of immediate assistance, many survivors faced prolonged uncertainty regarding their future amid ongoing repatriation discussions. Efforts by the Equatorial Guinea Red Cross and local consulates have been critical in providing necessary aid, yet the need for clarity and coordinated response regarding repatriation remains urgent and unresolved.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
