Two young men, Alhaji Bah and Samba G. Conteh, tragically lost their lives following heavy floods that swept through the Mellon Street community in eastern Freetown on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Torrential rains triggered widespread flooding across the city, leaving many communities submerged, homes destroyed, and residents displaced.

The floodwaters, which surged into low-lying neighborhoods, wreaked havoc in Mellon Street, resulting in several homes being inundated and structures collapsing under the pressure.

In a devastating turn of events, a concrete fence fell on Alhaji Bah and Samba Conteh during the chaos, cutting their lives short. Both men were well-known and loved in the community, and their sudden deaths have left families, friends, and neighbors in deep mourning.

Alhaji Bah, a young man with deep roots in the Newstead Lane area of Wellington, was known for his passion for football and his allegiance to A.C. Milan. A former student of SLMb Primary School, he was respected by his peers for his commitment and involvement in community activities. Samba Conteh, equally beloved, was also an active member of the local community, and his loss has deeply affected those who knew him.

Community members and activists have called on the government to prioritize disaster preparedness and resilience, emphasizing the need for improved drainage systems, better urban planning, and the relocation of at-risk populations from flood-prone areas.