6 days ago
Failed UK asylum seeker died trying to board ship heading to Canada
A failed asylum seeker from Egypt drowned after he tried to jump onto a ship at Southampton docks, an inquest has heard.
Walid Gomaa, 36, who was denied asylum when he arrived in the UK in 2021, tried to board the vehicle-transporter ship bound for Canada on April 28 this year.
Mr Gomaa, who had lived in the UK illegally for four years, drowned during the attempt. A post-mortem found evidence that he had been using cannabis and cocaine recreationally at the time of his death.
The Egyptian was spotted by crew members of the 200-metre MV Tannhauser attempting to reach the ramp's finger-flaps –articulated extensions at the end of the vessel– as it was being raised ahead of sailing, the Winchester inquest was told.
The operator paused the raising and saw Mr Gomaa walk away but as they started lifting up the ramp again, Mr Gomaa ran and jumped towards the ramp, despite a crew member shouting at him to stop.
The inquest heard that Mr Gomaa hit his head and fell into the sea at Empress Dock at the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal, where he drowned before a rescue boat could reach him.
Coroner Jason Pegg said: 'Mr Gomaa attempted a second time, warnings were shouted to Mr Gomaa but he continued despite the warnings.
'Mr Gomaa jumped off the jetty towards the vessel. On this occasion Mr Gomaa was not able to grab hold of anything and fell towards the water between the jetty and the vessel itself.'
Mr Pegg said a post-mortem examination found the cause of death was drowning which resulted from a head injury and a fall into the water. They also found that cocaine and cannabis were in his system.
The coroner said a friend had contacted police after Mr Gomaa had not been in touch and said Mr Gomaa had told him that he planned to travel to Canada.
Mr Pegg said that when the friend asked how he was going to get there, Mr Gomaa replied: 'Do not worry about it.'
The coroner added: 'Mr Gomaa came to the UK in 2021 and was not given status in this country and disappeared for a period of time.
'He initially claimed asylum but that was denied in 2021 and it was not until April 2025 that Mr Gomaa raised his head again.'
In a message to Mr Gomaa's family in Egypt, who did not attend the hearing, Mr Pegg said: 'I do give my condolences to Walid Gomaa's family and friends and they have my best wishes.'
