What Crew Members Say About Tannhauser

An inquest revealed a heart-wrenching incident involving Walid Gomaa, a 467-registered failed asylum seeker, who tragically drowned on April 28, 2025. This unfortunate event occurred at the Southampton docks while Gomaa attempted to board the 'Tannhauser,' a vessel preparing to set sail for Canada. The inquiry detailed how Gomaa, an Egyptian national, had previously arrived in the UK in 2021 seeking asylum, which was ultimately denied. After living illegally in the UK for four years, Gomaa expressed his desire to cross the Atlantic. Witnesses, including the crew aboard the 'Tannhauser', observed his desperate attempt to reach the ramp's articulated extensions as it was being lifted prior to departure. Although the vessel's operator halted the ramp’s elevation when Gomaa was first spotted, he later resumed his dangerous endeavor, despite warnings from the crew. As Gomaa jumped towards the ramp, he tragically lost his balance, struck his head, and fell into the sea at Empress Dock, adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal, before a rescue boat could reach him in time. This incident underscores the challenges faced by individuals seeking refuge and the tragic lengths some will go to in desperation. Gomaa's story, marked by his denied asylum claim and subsequent disappearance for an extended period, resonates deeply in discussions around immigration and humanitarian crises.