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Concerns are mounting over reports that two dead bodies have been left unattended in public areas of Freetown, including one near the Eastern Police Clock Tower and another directly in front of the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital, popularly known as Cottage Hospital.
The claims were made on Saturday evening, March 21, 2026 by civil society activist, Trevor Young, who described the situation as a serious public health and institutional failure.
According to Young, one of the bodies, located at the Eastern Police Clock Tower, is already decomposing and emitting a strong odor, while the second body lies in front of the hospital, a major public health facility in the capital.
“These are very public, very visible spaces, near institutions that are meant to represent care, safety, and order,” Young stated, expressing frustration at what he described as a lack of response from authorities.
Young questioned why the Ministry of Health and the Sierra Leone Police had not yet acted, despite what he said are well-established protocols for handling such incidents.
“By now we all know the Sierra Leone Police is the primary body for response. The Ministry of Health is responsible for removing the body. Why is there no urgency?” he asked.
He further warned that the situation poses a major public health risk and should not be normalised. “This is a huge public health risk. We cannot and must not normalise this,” he said.
As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from either the Ministry of Health or the Sierra Leone Police regarding Young’s claims. Independent verification of the claims has not yet been confirmed. However, some photos online have confirmed a lifeless body lying in front of Cottage Hospital on Fourah Bay Road.
The reported presence of decomposing bodies in central and highly populated areas of the city has raised concerns among residents and observers, particularly given the proximity of the locations to key public institutions. Authorities are yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
