By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
Sierra Leone Police has on Friday, the 8th May, 2026, carried out a demolition exercise along the busy Rokel–Waterloo Highway following a tragic container accident that reportedly claimed the lives of ten people a day earlier.
The operation was conducted at the same location where the fatal incident occurred on Wednesday, May 7, in an area widely known for severe traffic congestion, roadside trading, and heavy pedestrian movement.
According to reports, the accident involved a container truck that lost control in a crowded commercial section of the highway, resulting in the deaths of ten persons. The area is frequently occupied by traders, commercial motorbike riders, transport operators, and pedestrians who conduct business close to the roadside.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, police officers moved into the area and began demolishing makeshift structures and temporary business stalls situated along the highway. Several roadside shops and other structures used for commercial activities were removed during the exercise.
Authorities are believed to have undertaken the demolition as part of efforts to reduce congestion and improve public safety along the highway following the deadly incident. The Rokel–Waterloo Highway has for years remained one of the busiest routes in the western area, often experiencing traffic build-up caused by roadside trading and uncontrolled commercial activities.
Residents and business operators gathered at the scene as the demolition exercise progressed, with some traders seen hurriedly removing goods and salvaging materials from affected structures before demolition teams moved in.
Although the Sierra Leone Police had not issued a detailed official statement at the time of publication, the exercise has sparked widespread public discussion about road safety, urban congestion, and the growing presence of illegal roadside structures along major highways.
The fatal container accident has also renewed concerns among commuters and residents over traffic management, pedestrian protection, and the enforcement of regulations governing roadside trading in heavily populated areas.
Many road users have called for stricter safety measures and stronger enforcement actions to prevent similar tragedies, particularly along accident-prone sections of the Rokel–Waterloo Highway.
Authorities are yet to confirm whether similar demolition exercises will be extended to other congested communities along the highway as efforts continue to address safety concerns and restore order in the aftermath of the deadly accident.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 11th May 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
