TANNHAUSER

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Inquest found that denied asylum seeker drowned after failed attempt to jump on ramp

Walid Gomaa, 467, a failed asylum seeker drowned on April 28, 2025, after he attempted to jump onto the ramp of the 'Tannhauser' at the Southampton docks in a bid to get to Canada, an inquest heard. The man was denied asylum status when he arrived in the UK in 2021. He told a friend that he intended to travel across the Atlantic, having lived illegally in the UK for four years. The Egyptian national was spotted by members of the crew of the 'Tannhauser', attempting to reach the ramp's 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 Gomaa walk away, but as they started lifting up the ramp again, he ran and jumped towards the ramp despite a crew member of the ship, which was due to set sail to Halifax, shouting at him to stop. Gomaa then hit his head and fell into the sea at the Empress Dock at the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal, where he drowned before a rescue boat could reach him. 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 Gomaa was heard of again.