Tragedy strikes Yankasa Community as two sisters drown at Coney Island Beach in New York

The Yankasa community in New York is mourning the loss of two young sisters who tragically drowned at New York City’s Coney Island Beach on Saturday, July 6, 2024.

Aisha Mohammed, 18, and Zainab Mohammed, 17, daughters of Alhaji Baba Zugu, a prominent community leader, lost their lives in what the Yankasa Association described as an “untimely death.”

They were reported missing on Friday night in the area of Stillwell Avenue and Boardwalk West after they were seen entering the water and disappearing from view, the NYPD said.

Two teenagers did not survive the night after they were pulled from the water and rushed to the hospital in critical condition, according to police.

Witnesses told WABC-TV that a rain storm began and most people at the beach took shelter, but the two young women went into the rough ocean water.

“It was just after 8 p.m. Friday when calls came in about three people who needed rescuing in the water off of Coney Island in Brooklyn, FDNY officials said, according to NBC News report.

“After searching for more than an hour, the two teens — an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old, both females — were pulled from the water.

“Both teens were rushed to Coney Island Hospital in critical condition.”

A man tried to stop them but he couldn’t swim either, one witness said.

“They were both transported to NYC Health and Hospitals/Coney Island where they were pronounced dead,” the police added.

The sisters were both students at Yankasa Makaranta, a community school. Their father, Alhaji Baba Zugu, holds the respected title of Wazirin Dandawa North America within the community.

In a statement released on social media on Saturday, July 6, the New York-based Yankasa Association expressed their deep sorrow: “With heavy heart [we] announce the untimely death of 2 daughter’s of Yankasa community which occurred yesterday @ Coney Island Beach.”

The statement went on to acknowledge the profound impact of this loss on the family, noting that they are “in trauma.” The association has called upon all members of the Yankasa community to offer prayers for the bereaved family during this difficult time.

their death comes amid recent spate of drownings from rip currents at beaches have.

The Yankasa Association has indicated that further information will be released as it becomes available.

This tragic event has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Yankasa community, highlighting the importance of water safety as the summer season is in full swing. Community leaders are expected to address this issue in the coming days.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

The Yankasa Association has promised to provide updates as they become available.