British tourists flee Gambia crisis
THOUSANDS of British tourists were scrambling to leave Gambia yesterday amid fears of a coup.
Thomas Cook was making plans to fly home nearly 3,500 customers from the troubled West African state.
Foreign Office advisers warned against all but essential travel and Britons told of chaotic scenes at tourist hotels and airports. More than 25,000 Gambians have already fled. Neighbouring Senegal massed troops at the border yesterday and said it would invade if he had not stepped down by midnight. Nigeria also sent an air force contingent.
The crisis was triggered by President Yahya Jammeh refusing to stand down after losing an election to Adama Barrow, who once worked as a guard for Argos in London. Jammeh, 51 – who seized power in a military coup 23 years ago – declared a state of emergency after reneging on a promise to abide by the poll’s results.
Despite the dictator’s poor human rights record, Gambia’s beaches and lively coastal resorts have become a hit with British tourists.
Yesterday Thomas Cook said it would fly 985 package holiday customers back to the UK over the next 48 hours. Another 2,500 on flight-only trips were to be offered “the earliest possible flight availability”.
UK firm The Gambia Experience was contacting its 225 package customers and 109 flight-only travellers to offer advice on getting back. One British tourist said: “All hotel guests are to leave today.”