An investigation has been opened after an African refugee drowned in Venice’s Grand Canal while tourists and onlookers watched him without helping, choosing to film him on their phones instead.
Footage shows 22-year-old Gambian Pateh Sabally struggling in the water in the middle of canal. Reports said that at least three life rings were thrown into the water near him, but speculations he was trying to kill himself rose when he didn’t reach for them.
Onlookers can be heard yelling at the man as he flails, shouting “Africa” and “he is stupid. He wants to die.” Another shouted, “go on, go back home”, and one man suggests letting him die.
Italian newspapers said Sabally had residency papers to be in the country and had sailed from Africa two years ago.