President Adama Barrow has said he learnt of the deaths of Gambians in the Bronx apartment fire tragedy in New York with “profound sadness”.

At least 17 people including Gambians died in a Sunday fire incident that left many others seriously injured.

“It is with profound sadness that I learned the involvement of Gambians and people of Gambian descent, in the devastating fire incident in a Bronx, New York apartment building on Sunday. 

“We are keenly following the developments through our Embassy in the United States. Meanwhile, I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Barrow said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba