A tragic incident occurred on September 30, 2026, in the village of Faynabé, located in the commune of Taïba-Thiekene, Mbacké, in Senegal's Diourbel region. A 35-year-old man with a mental disability, identified as Ousmane Kâ, attacked four young girls aged between two and four years old who were playing under a tree. The attack resulted in the death of one girl, D. Bâ, aged four, and injured three others.
According to eyewitnesses, Ousmane Kâ had earlier that day encountered A. Ba, a young herder in his thirties, who was returning to the village. Kâ suddenly became aggressive and demanded that Ba hand over his machete. Ba, fearing for his life, surrendered the machete and fled the scene. The herder then witnessed Kâ attack the four young girls, inflicting severe injuries on their heads, foreheads, and backs.
The three surviving girls, A. Sow (2 and 4 years old) and D. Dème (2 years old), were rushed to the Mbacké health center and later evacuated to the Matlaboul Fawzeyni hospital in Touba due to the severity of their injuries. Medical sources confirmed that their vital prognosis remains strongly engaged. The incident sparked widespread outrage and anger in the village, with residents attempting to lynch Kâ.
A crowd of villagers, armed and seeking revenge, stormed Kâ's family home, intent on lynching him. However, the rapid intervention of the Kael gendarmerie brigade prevented a further tragedy from unfolding. Kâ was taken into custody and placed under guard at the gendarmerie. The public prosecutor ordered an investigation, and the prefectural authority initiated an emergency procedure to have Kâ admitted to a secure psychiatric institution.
The body of the four-year-old victim, D. Bâ, was taken to the morgue pending transfer to Dakar for a legal autopsy. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of people with mental disabilities and the need for adequate care and support.
The Senegalese authorities have been urged to take necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The community is still reeling from the shock of the tragic event, and the families of the victims are receiving support and counseling.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the authorities are working to provide support to the affected families. The incident has highlighted the need for increased awareness and understanding of mental health issues and the importance of providing adequate care and support to those affected.
Key points
- A 35-year-old man with a mental disability killed a four-year-old girl and injured three others in a machete attack in Senegal's Diourbel region.
- The attacker, Ousmane Kâ, was taken into custody and is set to be admitted to a secure psychiatric institution.
- The incident has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of people with mental disabilities and the need for adequate care and support.
