Flood, landslide claims 800 lives in Sierra Leone

Tragedy struck in the Sierra Leonean capital of Freetown Monday.


What started as an early morning blessing in form of rain led to flood and landslide, leaving in their wake death and destruction.

The area affected is Regent, a highbrow area of the city.

According to an eye witness, Mr. Ammar Kamara, an aid worker in Freetown, the city is grappling with this new tragedy as little has so far been put in place for displaced survivors.

He said: ‘The flood happened this morning. It started with a heavy rainfall around 2am. This led to the landslide which occurred between 6am and 7am.

“From the my visit to the main mortuary unit inside Connaught Hospital, most of the victims are women, particularly young girls and I can confirm over 150 children under the age of 10 years lost their lives.

“It happened in the highbrow residential area where the affluent live. The hospitals are overstretched and the coordination from the medical team is insufficient. The death toll is going to rise.”

He said medical and aid workers are currently battling to save lives and give care to the displaced, wounded and traumatized.