By: Contributing Writer
B’ hai, Grand Gedeh – In a tragic accident on August 24, 2024, three cocoa farmers from Burkina Faso were killed in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia. The accident occurred in Duogee Town, located in the B’hai Administrative District. Out of the group, only one individual survived the devastating incident.
According to our Correspondent in the area, The fatalities have been identified as Sawadog Mohammed Desire, 34, Yameogo Oliver, 25, and Tiono Ouibila, 25. Antoine Tapsoba, 34, is reported as the sole survivor of the accident. The incident occurred when a large, decayed tree fell on the hut where the farmers were staying.
The cocoa farmers had recently arrived in Liberia with plans to cultivate cocoa on the land. Early in the morning, the aged and weakened tree collapsed, causing significant damage and resulting in the deaths of the three individuals.
Preliminary investigations reveal that the farmers had partially cleared the forest, leaving several trees in a precarious state. The removal of only the roots and burning of the bark left the remaining trees unstable, leading to their collapse.
A 15-member coroner jury has been convened to investigate the incident. Their report confirms that the deaths resulted directly from the falling tree. The event has raised serious concerns about the safety practices involved in land clearing.
According to him, In the wake of the tragedy, Hon. Madison Neewray, an administrative officer, alongside the Liberia National Police (LNP), has initiated measures to address the aftermath. The bodies of the deceased have been returned to their families, and the farmland owner, Mr. Othello Bah, has been called in for questioning by the Toe Town Police Detachment.
This incident highlights the urgent need for improved safety practices in agricultural land clearing. Local authorities are calling for farmers to adopt more secure methods to prevent similar accidents in the future. The event underscores the dangers of inadequate land management and the necessity for prioritizing safety in farming operations.
