Teenage Gambian soccer star dies during Mediterranean crossing
More than 3,300 migrants have died in the Mediterranean this year, according to the IOM. Photograph: Imago / Barcroft Media/imago/Haytham Pictures
Refugees continue to die seeking to cross the Mediterranean into Europe. The latest: The Guardian reports that the goalkeeper of the Gambia’s national women’s football team died crossing the Mediterranean in the hope of starting a new life in Europe, her former coach has said. Fatim Jawara, reportedly just 19, was on board a boat that ran into trouble in the Mediterranean in late October while crossing from Libya to Europe.
More than 3,300 migrants have lost their lives in the Mediterranean this year, according to figures from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Jawara made her debut for the national team, known as the Scorpions, a year ago in a friendly against a team from Glasgow.
Jawara is said to have left the Gambia in September to cross the Sahara and head for Libya, where most African migrants begin the sea crossing to Europe.
KJ