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The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has confirmed the deaths of three individuals and the disappearance of a one-year-old child following a tragic fence collapse at 54 Off Pratt Street, New England Ville, Freetown, on Tuesday evening, 23rd July 2025.
According to an official statement from the Agency, the incident occurred around 6:00 PM after a torrential downpour triggered a powerful flow of floodwater and mud from the nearby hills. The water pressure caused a section of a compound fence to collapse onto a makeshift pan body structure directly below. The structure housed a family of six.
The structure is owned by Mr. Alie Turay a Prison Officer and known boxer. NDMA said it received alerts about the disaster through social media and the 117 emergency call line at around 6:20 PM. A Rapid Response Team, including the Director General and Director of Disaster Relief and Response, was immediately dispatched to the scene to assess the situation and initiate rescue efforts.
In collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), and community volunteers, the team began a search and rescue operation that lasted through the night and into the next day.
The deceased have been identified as six-year-old Aminata Sesay, who was found dead at the scene and taken to the 34 Military Hospital mortuary; Sailor Sesay, an adult female and mother-in-law to Mr. Turay; and two-year-old Aliue Sesay. The bodies of the latter two were discovered downstream at the Morjabie and Mordenah Community watersides.
As of Wednesday morning, one-year-old Ramatu Turay remains missing. Search operations continue in key drainage paths, including the area surrounding the Special Court compound, which is situated along a major water channel. Officers from the New England Ville Police Post and security personnel at the Special Court are actively supporting the ongoing recovery mission.
While investigations and search efforts proceed, the NDMA has used the moment to urge residents, particularly in disaster-prone areas, to take precautionary measures during the rainy season.
The Agency’s advisory includes the following safety tips:
Avoid constructing or living in makeshift homes near hillsides, weakened fences, or flood-prone areas.
Keep children indoors and away from open drains, culverts, and floodwaters during heavy rain.
Refrain from driving through flooded or waterlogged roads.
Report any signs of soil movement, cracked walls, or shifting ground near slopes.
Maintain clean drainages and avoid disposing of plastic waste or debris that could obstruct water flow.
Regularly inspect and reinforce perimeter fences and structures exposed to slope pressure or erosion.
NDMA has also called on the public to provide any credible information that may assist in locating the missing child or help in managing similar incidents. The agency’s toll-free emergency line 1199 is available on all mobile networks.
