Komrabai Waterloo, Port Loko District – March 24, 2025 – A devastating explosion rocked the quiet village of Komrabai Waterloo in Maforki Chiefdom on Monday afternoon, claiming the life of a young boy and leaving two others critically injured.
The tragic incident occurred when three boys, aged between 13 and 15, ventured into the bush to pick mangoes. In their search, they stumbled upon what they believed to be a piece of scrap metal. Unaware of the danger, they decided to carry it back to the village, hoping to sell their mangoes along with the find.
Upon reaching the home of Ya Fatmata Kamara, a local buyer, disaster struck. While waiting for payment, one of the boys, 13-year-old Abdulrahman Kamara, struck the object, triggering a deadly explosion. The blast killed Abdulrahman instantly, while his two companions and Ya Fatmata sustained serious injuries. They were rushed to Port Loko Regional Hospital for emergency treatment.
Authorities swiftly responded to the scene. The Port Loko division of the Sierra Leone Police, alongside the Northwest Regional Operations Department, launched an investigation.
Officers found Abdulrahman’s remains at the site, surrounded by a devastated community grappling with the horrifying aftermath.
The explosion has sent shockwaves through Komrabai Waterloo, a village still bearing the scars of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war. Unexploded ordnance from past conflicts remains a hidden threat, and this tragic event has reignited urgent calls for demining efforts and public awareness campaigns.
In response to the tragedy, local media outlet Public Trust Media has called on the government and international organizations to intensify efforts in identifying and clearing remaining explosive devices in rural areas. The incident underscores the pressing need for education on the dangers of abandoned munitions to prevent further loss of life.
As the village mourns Abdulrahman’s untimely death, the tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the lingering dangers of war and the urgent need for action to protect innocent lives.
