The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority has expressed it “profound sorrow’ over the sudden death of a British tourist at the Banjul airport while waiting for a flight back to the UK.

“It is with profound sorrow that the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) informs the general public of the unfortunate passing of a female checked-in passenger at Banjul International Airport,” the airport said in a statement. 

The British tourist, who was identified as Nicola Jane, died at Banjulinding healthcare clinic after collapsing at the airport’s Duty Free Area. 

According to reports, she is suspected to have collapsed due to heat.

However, The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority dismissed the reports as “false” and said that after the deceased completed the pre-departure check-in, she “entered the terminal departure lounge, settled down and rested for a while. 

“She then decided to visit the Duty Free shop adjacent to the waiting lounge, which by virtue of its business offerings is the coldest in the departure lounge.”

“Within seconds of entering the shopping space the passenger passed out while window shopping. Upon receipt of the alert, a team of relevant GCAA and State Public Health personnel immediately responded to the emergency and commandeered the Airport ambulance then rushed the deceased to Banjulinding Health Center for immediate medical attention where she was pronounced dead on arrival,” it added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba