By Abubakarr Harding
The Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Ankara, Turkey has issued a press release on the alleged death of Sierra Leoneans in that country.
The release states that: “The Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Ankara, Türkiye, would like to inform the general public at home and abroad; and the Sierra Leonean Community in Türkiye, that 8 (eight) people who were identified as Sierra Leonean citizens died last month in a gruesome sea crossing tragedy from Türkiye to Greece; in the Aegean Sea that divides the two countries.
“The Embassy would also want to inform that upon hearing the devastating news, wrote a Note Verbal to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, being the usual protocol, requesting the issuance of Diplomatic approval for staff of the Embassy to visit the scene of the incidence for identification and to convey same to their families and loved ones; as the case may be.
“Consequent of the above, the Embassy dispatched a team to Izmir, where the unfortunate incidence took place. The delegation from the Mission was accompanied by the President of the Sierra Leone Community in Türkiye, Mr. Mohamed Shaka Sesay and a Sierra Leonean medical student who is fluent in Turkish, Mr. Daniel Kargbo.
“At the different mortuaries in Izmir, Mr. Mohamed Shaka Sesay identified from the database at least 5 (five) deceased whom he confirmed to be Sierra Leoneans. The Turkish authorities said they had already buried the remains because corpses have gone bad before they were discovered on the sea.
“The Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Ankara, Türkiye, wishes to express its condolences to the affected families, whilst it continues to monitor the situation closely,” the release stated.
