By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has launched an investigation into a construction-site incident at the Freetown International Airport that reportedly claimed the lives of two workers and left two others injured.
The investigation was initiated on Friday, August 14, 2026, with a team led by Ing.Osman Conteh tasked with establishing the circumstances that led to the incident and determining whether workplace safety requirements were adequately observed.
Preliminary information from the Ministry indicates that the deceased included one Sierra Leonean and one Senegalese national, while two other workers survived and are currently receiving medical treatment at Life Care Hospital in Freetown.
As part of the investigation, the Ministry’s team has engaged key stakeholders, including FB Group, the company undertaking construction works at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre. The company is expected to provide information relevant to the investigation as officials work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Ministry said the investigation will examine workplace safety procedures, compliance with existing labour regulations and other factors that may have contributed to the incident.
Officials are also expected to identify any safety gaps and make recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents at construction sites across the country.
In a further response, members of the investigation team visited the family of the deceased Sierra Leonean worker to convey the Ministry’s condolences and discuss compensation and other entitlements in accordance with Sierra Leone’s labour laws.
The Ministry said the engagement was intended to ensure that the rights and lawful entitlements of the deceased worker are properly addressed while offering support to the bereaved family.
Construction sites are considered high-risk workplaces, making adherence to safety procedures, the use of appropriate protective equipment, effective supervision and compliance with labour regulations critical to protecting workers.
The Ministry has stressed that the investigation remains ongoing and that further details will be released after the findings and recommendations have been completed.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the incident and inform measures to strengthen occupational safety and reduce the risk of similar tragedies at construction sites in Sierra Leone
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 19th August 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
