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The high-rise within the Bronx the place 19 individuals died in a fireplace on Sunday was dwelling to many African immigrants who selected their residences for the close-knit group and proximity to native mosques.
A major variety of the constructing’s residents have been training Muslims and initially from Gambia, Mayor Eric Adams mentioned at a information convention on Sunday.
He spoke about respecting cultural and non secular wants, particularly associated to burial rites, and emphasised that assist can be offered no matter immigration standing.
Gov. Kathy Hochul reassured residents of the constructing, on East 181st Road, that she wouldn’t neglect them. She introduced plans to determine a victims’ compensation fund to assist safe new housing and pay for burials and different prices.
“Tonight is an evening of tragedy and ache, and tomorrow we start to rebuild,” she mentioned. “We rebuild their lives and provides them hope. Particularly those that got here all the way in which from Africa. Gambians searching for a greater life proper right here on this nice borough, the borough of the Bronx. They’re a part of our household.”
Smoke traveled all through the 19-story constructing and victims suffered from extreme smoke inhalation, mentioned Daniel A. Nigro, town’s hearth commissioner. Greater than 60 residents have been injured.
Hassane Badr’s household, a complete of 11 individuals from Mali, together with his mother and father and siblings, lived in a three-bedroom condo on the third ground. Two siblings, each youngsters, have been killed, he mentioned, including {that a} 25-year-old cousin remained unaccounted for.
At Jacobi Medical Middle, Mr. Badr waited for information about his 12-year-old brother, who was affected by critical smoke inhalation. A 5-year-old sister, who was additionally injured, was at one other hospital.
He mentioned there was no time but to grieve and even take into consideration burials.
“I’m considering like I’m dreaming, this isn’t true. You hear individuals crying, my goodness,” mentioned Mr. Badr, 28. “To be trustworthy, I’m not believing it proper now.”
He mentioned his household had lived on the high-rise for not less than six years, drawn to it partly for its African connection and the supply to close by mosques.
Ahouss Balima, 20, who lived on the ninth ground together with his mother and father and three youthful sisters, who’re all from Burkina Faso, mentioned that the constructing’s group was “very shut.”
“We meet up on a regular basis, condo to condo,” mentioned Mr. Balima. “Everyone knows one another.”
At St. Barnabas Hospital, Musa Kabba, an area imam, mentioned he was ready with anguished family for victims to be recognized. A number of residents attended his mosque on Webster Avenue, the Masjid-Ur-Rahmah, he mentioned. The mosque is a four-minute stroll from the constructing.
“We all know that folks died,” Mr. Kabba mentioned. “We don’t know who they’re.”
Salim Drammeh, the president of the Gambian Youth Group, mentioned that the nonprofit’s middle was blocks away from the condo constructing and had opened to gather donations and supply emotional assist to the group. He mentioned that contributions, each in individual and to an internet fund-raiser, simply began “flooding in.”
“That is how our group is; we love this group,” mentioned Mr. Drammeh, 26. “Each time anyone is in hassle, we present up for one another.”
Ana Ley, Eduardo Medina and Sean Piccoli contributed reporting.
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