Senegalese president calls for more efficient disaster prevention measures

Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - Senegalese President Macky Sall on Wednesday called for the improvement of the national early warning system, civil safety and disaster and accident control systems in Dakar, the statement from the Council of Ministers sent to PANA on Wednesday said.

He also instructed the Interior ministry to immediately conduct a national audit of all public places, such as beaches, amusement parks and resorts.

President Sall's measures follow the capsizing of a dugout boat off Dakar on Monday that left four people dead and several injured, some of whom were still under observation at a hospital in the city on Wednesday.

The accident, caused by heavy rain accompanied by strong winds, occurred while the group was returning from an excursion to the island of Madeleine, located some four kilometres west of Dakar.

Among the 35 survivors are several Senegalese, six French, two Germans and as many Swedes, as well as three Guineans Bissau citizens.

-0- PANA AAS/TBM/BBA/MA 19Sept2019