Abdou Ngom, 13, from Verduno, in the north of Italy is claimed to have been thrown into the Tanaro River by another teenager over a debt despite not knowing how to swim
A 13-year-old boy drowned after allegedly being thrown into a river by another teenager over a £40 debt.
Abdou Ngom died in the Tanaro River in Verduno, in Italy’s north-western Piedmont region and it was initially claimed that he disappeared while swimming without boys. But detectives now believe that another member of the group he was with, actually threw him in, despite Abdou shouting that he couldn’t swim. The four boys had gone to the bank of the river from their homes in nearby Bra to hang out to enjoy the warm weather on April 21.
But the river, the sixth longest in Italy, was dangerous as it was swollen and muddy from recent heavy rainfall. A rescue mission was launched to try and find the teenager but following no signs of him it was called off a week later. Meanwhile, a heatwave forecast reveals the exact date a 39C heat plume will scorch the UK.
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The Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office in Turin has now charged one of the group, a 15-year-old boy with voluntary manslaughter with possible intent and he is currently under house arrest.
During the investigation, detectives found that the three boys had been in contact to discuss how to behave if called in by police. Questioning also revealed that the prime suspect was eager to collect a £40 debt from Abdou.
One of the other boys reportedly told officers: “Abdou said he couldn’t swim, but the other guy grabbed him and threw him in the water.” The suspect denies this account, as reported by NeedToKnow.
Abdou was born in Bra but was of Senegalese descent. His parents as well as his three siblings have been left devastated by his death. His father, Khadim, told local media following his death: “I don’t know what happened that day, how things went . I would like to know the truth and the reason, whatever it may be. If a boy says he can’t swim, why is he pushed into the water?”
He told how he had lived in Italy for 24 years and it was a small community where they are based which means that he knew of the other boys his son was playing with.
“He dreamed of becoming a footballer and played for Bra first, then for the team in Roreto, Cherasco,” he said. “But he couldn’t swim. Unfortunately, I wasn’t home that day, and he left without telling his mum where he was going. Otherwise, we would never have let him go to the river with those friends.
“I hope this breakthrough in the investigation will at least lead to the search for my Abdou being restarted. I just want them to let us bury his body and have a grave where we can mourn him.” Once found, Abdou’s parents want to take his body to Senegal to be buried “where the rest of our family is”.