Three students from Kankalay Secondary School in Lokomasama Chiefdom tragically drowned this week while on their way to school, sending shockwaves throughout the Gbainty Wallah Wharf community.

The young students, whose identities have not been publicly released, reportedly encountered difficulties while crossing the nearby waterway, leading to the fatal incident. Local authorities confirmed the deaths and are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Eyewitnesses say the students were crossing the water route they regularly took to attend school, but it is unclear what specifically led to the tragic outcome. Community members and school officials have expressed grief and are organizing support for the families affected by the loss. Authorities have also begun discussions on improving safety measures for students who regularly navigate such routes.

“We are devastated by this loss. These were young lives with promising futures,” said a school representative. “Our priority now is to support the families and our students during this difficult time.”

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This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns for students traveling through rural and water-dependent routes to access education. Local leaders have emphasized the need for immediate safety evaluations and potential resources to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The Port Loko District Education Office has also reached out to the community development partners, and the government  to quickly fix the bridge to avoid future occurrences.