By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara

A tragic scene unfolded late Sunday evening the 19 October 2025 at the popular Number 2 Beach on the Freetown Peninsula when a young boy lost his life after reportedly drowning while attempting to retrieve a football that had drifted into the sea.

According to eyewitnesses, the boy, believed to be around 12 years old, had been playing with friends near the shoreline when their football rolled into the water. In an attempt to recover it, he ventured into the sea but soon appeared to struggle against the rising tide.

We saw him go after the ball, but the waves were too strong,” recounted a beach vendor who witnessed the heartbreaking incident, everyone started shouting for help, but by the time people ran to the water, he had already disappeared beneath the waves.

Rescue efforts were launched immediately, but eyewitnesses said the situation was made worse by poor visibility as dusk approached and the sea became rough. Despite frantic attempts by beachgoers and local youths, the boy could not be saved.

Local authorities were quickly alerted, and a search operation was initiated late into the evening. As of press time, efforts were still underway to recover the victim’s body.

The incident has left beachgoers and residents of the surrounding community in deep sorrow. Many have called for stronger safety measures at the beach, including the presence of trained lifeguards, warning signs, and restrictions for unsupervised children playing near the water.

Number 2 Beach, one of Sierra Leone’s most visited tourist destinations, is known for its scenic beauty but has also recorded occasional accidents involving swimmers and children, especially during high tide

Community leaders and beach management officials have expressed condolences to the bereaved family and urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant when visiting the beach with children.

This is a devastating loss, said a member of the beach management committee, we need to take water safety seriously, and No one should have to lose a child in such a way.

As the search continues, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of enforcing safety standards along Sierra Leone’s coastline to prevent such heartbreaking incidents from happening again.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)