In Gabon, the boat Esther Miracle sank on March 9, 2023. One year after the tragedy which caused the death of 30 people, a remembrance ceremony was organized on Saturday in Libreville in the presence of the transitional authorities, survivors, parents of the victims and many other Gabonese people.
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With our correspondent in Libreville, Yves Laurent Goma
The ceremony took place at the entrance to Port Molle, where the ferry Esther Miracle had departed. THE survivors were dressed in T-shirts that read “ never againGabon “.
A year after the tragedy, they have forgotten nothing of this tragedy. “ It’s not easy, we haven’t forgotten. Even when we come, we still have emotions », Explains one. “ There were 11 of us, I was the youngest. Five left and six came out of there, I lost pillars », testifies another.
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While some were able to survive this tragedy, 30 people died that day. The parents of the 30 people who died and the seven who disappeared were present. They brought candles and flowers in memory of their loved ones. “ I lost my twin. The body was not found. It’s hard », says a relative of the victim. “ We lost our father and mother who were going to Port-Gentil to pick up a vehicle that we had bought for them. », Comments another. “ I lost four loved ones. They took away my whole life », cries a man.
To help them rebuild, NGO provide them with psychological support because some are traumatized. “ From now on, they present what we call anxiety, panic attacks, seizures… When they approach a boat or water, they have memories of this imminent death », Explains Ephrem Mbou, president of the NGO Surgeon of Hope.
Several members of the government, including Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima, participated in the commemoration. A presence well received by the victims who say they feel forgotten at times. They are demanding a stele so that this tragedy will never be forgotten.