President Julius Maada Bio has made a visit to Freetown historic cotton tree that was fell by heavy downpour on Wednesday night.

Emergencies authorities have not recorded any casualties but debris from huge fallen branches blocked the main route to the city centre causing huge traffic on Thursday morning. Parts of the facade of the NASSIT Building was destroyed.

Vehicles are still being diverted to use Lightfoot Boston Street as an auxiliary route. Emergency workers are clearing the debris using caterpillars and trucks.

Earlier, Bio announced on his Twitter page that the tree fell due to heavy downpour on Wednesday night.

“A great loss to the nation. It was regarded as a symbol of liberty and freedom by early settlers,” the President said.

Two weeks ago, a branch from the tree fell after another heavy downpour with locals questioning the health of the tree.

Bio at Fallen Cotton Tree

The historic cotton tree is believed to be over 200 years old. Historians said that the early settlers sought solace from the tree when they arrived from Europe and the Americas.