By Stephen V. Lansana
The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Fatima Bio said on Thursday, February 2, 2023, on Facebook platform that 30 school children suffered injuries when a section of metal guardrail on one of the levels of the Bo Mini Stadium collapsed.
The accident occurred when President Julius Maada Bio, aunched the 2023 Free Sanitary Pads Distribution at the Bo Stadium, Bo City.
“No child died during the incident. No child breaks her foot or arms. And those affected are responding to treatment,” she confirmed.
She said that the incident occurred as a result of children leaning on the railing thereby causing the collapse of the rail.
She emphasized that there was no stampede, and the Bo Stadium has not collapsed.
The Ministry of Information and Communications said in a statement on thufrsday that “contrary to widespread social media reports that the mini stadium collapsed, the Ministry has confirmed that it was one of the supporting guard rails, which gave way due to extra pressure exerted on it by the large number of children who were at the stadium to benefit from the distribution and witness the event.”
The Ministry said, “Swift action was taken by authorities at the scene to provide First Aid and immediately take the affected children to the Bo Government Hospital where they are now receiving the best of care.”
The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby, and his deputy, Madam Princess Dugba, among other officials were in Bo City to ensure maximum care is provided to the affected children and to coordinate the response.
Shortly after the incident, President Maada Bio expressed condolence to the families of those children who sustained injuries. “My sincere condolence to the families of the kids that sustained injuries in the unfortunate incident at the Bo Stadium today during the launch and distribution of free sanitary pads to school kids.”