A series of devastating sea accidents has hit coastal communities in Southern Sierra Leone, leaving a trail of death and destruction. The tragic incidents occurred in Sulima, Begbeghun, Delken, and Mania in the Pujehun and Bonthe Districts, resulting in the death of at least one fisherman and leaving many others missing.
Heavy storms in the area caused the accidents during a recent fishing expedition. Local residents confirmed that one fisherman was rescued, but multiple others remain unaccounted for. A joint search and rescue operation has been launched by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, in collaboration with the Maritime Administration and other partners, to locate the missing fishermen.
The Ministry has expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and is hopeful for the swift recovery of those still missing. In an official statement, the Ministry emphasized the importance of adhering to early warning signs related to weather conditions and urged all fishermen nationwide to exercise caution, particularly during periods of torrential rains and storms.
Unconfirmed reports have also emerged of the deaths of two other fishermen from York Village in the Western Area Rural District, which the Ministry is currently investigating. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources continues to monitor the situation and has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of all fishermen across Sierra Leone.
