Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – The death of Abdoulaye Ba, a second-year dental student at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD), was caused by severe traumatic injuries and massive internal bleeding, according to the official autopsy report.
The medico-legal examination was conducted at the Laboratory of Anatomy and Pathological Cytology at Idrissa Pouye General Hospital in Grand Yoff. The autopsy was performed by Dr. M. A. Diallo after Ba’s death was recorded on February 9, 2026.
The report concludes that the student died from severe thoraco-abdominal and cranial polytrauma. It states clearly that the injuries were consistent with violent trauma and excludes an isolated natural cause, such as an asthma attack.
According to the findings, the cause of death was acute cardio-respiratory failure resulting from multiple internal hemorrhages.
Severe Internal Injuries Documented
The autopsy revealed significant trauma to the head, chest, and abdomen.
Doctors found a cerebral concussion and a moderate left subdural hemorrhage, indicating head trauma. There was no skull fracture, but there was an erosion to the occipital scalp.
The most serious injuries were located on the left side of the chest. Abdoulaye Ba sustained multiple rib fractures, including double fractures of the 10th rib and a fracture of the 11th rib. These fractures caused lung perforations and deep hemorrhagic wounds to the lower lobe of the left lung.
The injuries led to a large accumulation of blood in the chest cavity, known as a massive left hemothorax. The report states that this condition could rapidly compromise breathing and blood circulation.
Examiners also found injuries to the spleen and the left kidney. There were two splenic wounds and damage to the renal hilum, both of which caused additional internal bleeding. A small contusion was also observed on the heart muscle, along with a posterior mediastinal hematoma.
Other injuries included abrasions on the left arm and a superficial wound on the right flank.
The report concludes that the combination of chest, abdominal, and cranial injuries caused extensive internal bleeding that led to death.
Anger and Demands for Accountability
The publication of the autopsy findings comes amid deep anger and emotion within the UCAD community.
Abdoulaye Ba was a Licence 2 student in dental medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Odontology. His death has sparked protests and calls for accountability from students and staff.
Cheikh Atab Sagna, president of the faculty’s students’ association, alleged that Ba was brutalized by security operatives who entered the university campus. He stated that the student was beaten in his room and died inside the university premises.
In response to the tensions, the Academic Council of UCAD announced the precautionary suspension of student union groups until further notice.
At the national level, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko expressed sadness during a cabinet meeting following the incident.
Both leaders promised that an investigation would be conducted to establish the full circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
With the autopsy now confirming that Abdoulaye Ba died from violent trauma and massive internal bleeding, attention is expected to turn to the outcome of the promised investigation and the question of responsibility.
