Freetown, Sierra Leone – March 23, 2026 – Concerns are mounting in Freetown following reports that two bodies were left unattended in prominent public locations, including near the Eastern Police Clock Tower and outside the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital, commonly referred to as Cottage Hospital, along Fourah Bay Road.
Civil society activist Trevor Young raised the alarm on Saturday, March 21, describing the situation as a serious lapse in public health response and institutional coordination. According to his account, one of the bodies near the Eastern Police Clock Tower had begun decomposing, while another remained in front of the busy maternity facility for an extended period.
Young noted that both sites are highly visible and frequently used by the public, stressing that delays in removing the bodies pose sanitation and health concerns.
He questioned the apparent lack of prompt action despite established procedures assigning initial response responsibilities to the Sierra Leone Police, with subsequent handling managed by the Ministry of Health.
Images and videos circulating on social media appear to show at least one of the bodies outside Cottage Hospital, prompting public reaction and calls for urgent intervention. The reports have been widely shared by local media platforms and online community groups.
Recent guidance from Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr indicates that members of the public should report unattended bodies directly to the Sierra Leone Police through the emergency short code 900.
Authorities have previously clarified that the police hold primary responsibility for responding to such incidents, following changes to earlier arrangements involving the Freetown City Council.
Observers have also linked recurring street deaths in the capital to broader social challenges, including concerns surrounding the Kush drug crisis, which has drawn attention from public officials and security agencies in recent months.
As of March 23, no official statement had been issued by the Ministry of Health or the Sierra Leone Police confirming details of the reported incidents or outlining actions taken. Verification of the reports remains ongoing.
