By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara

Freetown, Sierra Leone a catastrophic boat accident on the River Rokel claimed the life of Ramatu Bangura, a young woman traveling from Lungi to Freetown, on Thursday, April 3, 2025. The speedboat, navigating the busy Freetown–Lungi route, capsized mid-journey, hurling passengers into the churning waters and shattering a community’s peace.

Eyewitnesses described a frantic scene as the vessel flipped, with rescuers local boaters and bystanders racing to pull survivors from the river, despite their efforts, Ramatu could not be saved, marking her as the sole fatality. A desperate search for her body is now underway, uniting marine authorities, volunteers, and residents from Lungi, Tagrin, and Ferry Junction in a grim yet determined effort.

Authorities have launched an urgent investigation to uncover the accident’s cause, with overloading and treacherous river conditions emerging as early suspects. Officials

caution that only a thorough probe will reveal the full story, the Freetown–Lungi corridor, a daily lifeline for countless commuters, has long faced criticism for lax safety standards, and this loss has turned whispers of concern into a roar for change.

Grief-stricken residents and leaders are demanding immediate action: mandatory life jackets, rigorous boat inspections, and proper training for operators, how many more must die before we act?  Asked one local elder, echoing a growing chorus of frustration.

Officials are imploring travelers to prioritize safety checking for life jackets and avoiding overcrowded vessels, this tragedy must wake us up, a marine official said off the record. These are preventable deaths, and we’re running out of excuses.

Sierra Leone mourns Ramatu Bangura a vibrant soul stolen too soon whose death lays bare the perils of the nation’s waterways, the River Rokel, a vital thread in Sierra Leone’s fabric, cannot be allowed to claim more lives. As the search continues and investigators dig deeper, the country holds its breath, yearning for justice, answers, and a safer tomorrow.