New England Tragedy…
DIB Mourns with Bereaved Family, Calls for Safer Communities
A wave of mourning swept through the New England community of Freetown following the heartbreaking loss of Madam Saloh Sesay and her three young children—Aminata, Alie, and Ramatu Turay—in a tragic incident that has shaken the nation.
In a powerful show of empathy and leadership, Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, founder of the Dr. Ibrahim Bangura Movement, visited the bereaved family on Thursday to express his deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with Mr. and Mrs. Alie Turay, the parents of the deceased.
“We are heartbroken by this devastating loss,” the Movement said in a public statement. “May Allah grant the departed eternal peace and surround the surviving family with strength, comfort, and divine mercy.”
The tragedy has once again brought to the forefront Sierra Leone’s long-standing vulnerabilities to environmental hazards, especially in densely populated communities where poor infrastructure and inadequate urban planning put lives at daily risk.
A Call for Action: Beyond Condolences
While extending heartfelt sympathies, Dr. Bangura used the moment to call for urgent national reflection and action. He emphasized the need for robust environmental protections, equitable urban development, and governance that puts people’s safety first.
“No family in Sierra Leone should have to live in fear of the rain,” he said during his visit. “We must work together to ensure that preventable disasters no longer steal lives and futures.”
Dr. Bangura reaffirmed his commitment to building a more resilient and compassionate Sierra Leone, where policies are driven by people’s realities and where communities are protected before—not after—disasters strike.
A Nation in Mourning
The tragedy has sent shockwaves across the country, prompting renewed calls from civil society and concerned citizens for the government to address the urban housing crisis, unregulated construction, and the urgent need for disaster preparedness and risk mitigation—especially as climate events become increasingly severe.
Residents of New England and beyond are demanding more than sympathy; they are calling for transformational leadership that prioritizes human dignity and safety over political convenience.
Hope Amid Heartbreak
As the Turay family grieves, the presence and message from Dr. Ibrahim Bangura brought a glimmer of solidarity and hope. His pledge to work for a future where tragedies like this no longer occur struck a chord with many who are tired of recurring loss and unfulfilled promises.
“We mourn, we reflect, and we recommit—to heal, to unite, and to build back better,” the Movement’s statement concluded.
This tragedy will not be forgotten. And for many, it has become a painful but powerful reminder that Sierra Leone must do better—and that the time to act is now.