The office of the Press Secretary of Sierra Leone’s Office of the President have issued a statement on the accident that occurred at Bo City Stadium on Thursday, 2nd February 2023.

The statement reads:

“On Thursday 2nd February 2023, His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, successfully launched the 2023 Free Sanitary Pads Distribution at the Bo Stadium, Bo City.

The formal launch was marred by an accident involving school children when a short section of metal guardrail on one of the levels of the stadium came apart.

The affected children were immediately transported to the Bo Government Hospital for free medical care,  accompanied by Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health and Sanitation.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected children and their families.

There was no stampede, and the Bo Stadium has not collapsed.”

Earlier this afternoon a railing in the stadium broke and went down with several pupils who were leaning on it at a Pad Distribution ceremony organised by the Office of the First Lady.

Although no deaths have been confirmed, several pupils are believed to have been injured.

The injured students are currently receiving treatment at the Government Hospital in Bo City.