The danger posed to life, property and livelihood by wanton and unregulated sand mining activities at Gunjur beach has become a reality when two young boys lost their lives yesterday trying to cross a trench dug by sand miners.
Kawsu Darboe and Abdoulie Jammeh from Gunjur, both 12 years old and close friends lost their lives when they drowned in the trenches left behind by sand mining.
The two boys are the children of Alhagie Darboe (Kai) from Gunjur but currently residing in the United Kingdom, and one Abdou Jammeh of Gunjur.
According to sources close to the deceased boys, four boys from the same area in Gunjur went to the sand mining area to cross to the area where women gardens around the Junuba area of the beach are located.
The remains of Kawsu and Abdoulie were laid to rest this morning in Gunjur.
There has been calls for the stopping of illigal sand mining activities at the coastal shorelines of Kombo and for the sand mining companies to ensure that the areas mined are restored as hundreds of women rely on these areas for their livelihoods. The empty trenches left by sand mining activities also pose threat to life during the rainy season as these trenches are filled with rain water that can cause drowning.
The relevant authorities must act to avert any more deaths from these dangerous mines.
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