Gambiaj.com – (Albreda, The Gambia) – Two pupils from Albreda Upper Basic School reportedly drowned in the sea on Wednesday afternoon, a tragedy causing pain and sorrow in the seaside town of Albreda.

The victims, identified as Alieu Cham, a Grade 8 student, and Ansumana Manneh, a Grade 11 student, were both minors from Niumi Sika village in Upper Nuimi. According to school sources, the boys had gone to the riverside after school hours for casual swimming when the incident occurred.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that one of the bodies has been recovered, while the search for the second student continues.

Both Albreda and Sika villages were shocked by the tragedy, and dozens of locals have rushed to the shore to assist local authorities in the rescue and recovery effort. Family members, friends, and well-wishers remain at the scene, anxiously awaiting updates.

This tragic event comes amid a period of intense summer heat, during which children and teenagers frequently sneak to beaches and riversides with friends to cool off by swimming—often without adult supervision.

Such outings, while common, increase the risk of drowning and other accidents, as seen in the Albreda incident.

Local authorities and community leaders have renewed calls for parents and guardians to be extra vigilant about their children’s whereabouts, particularly after school hours and in hot weather.

They stress the importance of close supervision, water safety education, and discouraging unsupervised swimming to prevent similar tragedies.

Meanwhile, the Albreda case has reignited discussions about the need for enhanced safety measures at riversides and beaches, including the presence of lifeguards and public awareness campaigns on water safety for children and young people.