Senegalese Man, Symbol of Migration Crisis, Passes Away

Abdou Ngom's image, embraced by a Spanish Red Cross volunteer, captured global attention and became a symbol of the migration crisis. The young Senegalese man, who entered Ceuta illegally on 18 May 2021, has passed away in Málaga, as confirmed by sources from the Red Cross and the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR).

Both organisations have stated that, although the cause of Abdou Ngom's death is unknown, they have been in contact with his relatives since his passing last Sunday to provide guidance and assistance as needed.

Abdou had been struggling for years in Morocco before he managed to swim into Ceuta, as did more than 10,000 people during the events of 17 and 18 May 2021 via the Tarajal border breakwater separating the city from Morocco. Exhausted from spending 20 minutes in the sea, he could not resist throwing himself into the arms of Luna, the Red Cross volunteer, allowing a photographer from the Efe Agency to capture the iconic moment.

The image resonated worldwide, sparking a wave of reactions, both positive and negative. In fact, Luna, the Red Cross volunteer, had to delete her social media accounts due to the barrage of criticism and insults she received for her humanitarian gesture towards Abdou. They spoke a week later, after Abdou had been returned to Morocco, thanks to TVE. "I will never forget her gesture. It comforted me, helped me, it was a human gesture," Abdou told Luna via video call.