President Bio, while delivering his statement, said that on the back of memories of the civil war and the Ebola, the mudslide was another sad chapter in the history of the country as it claimed the lives of more than 500 Sierra Leoneans whilst over 8,000 others were sent to displaced camps during the raining season. He described the incident as a terrible tragedy, whose impact would not be forgotten so easily.

“Today, we remember all our brothers, sisters and children who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy. We all acknowledge the terrible pains, the trauma, the grief and deep sadness of all families and friends who lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy. Let us all keep the victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers and may the Good Lord prevent this country from such disasters,” he said.

President Bio also assured that his government, a God-fearing one, would continue to respond to the needs of the survivors as they coped on a daily basis to come to terms with the terrible loss, adding that as a way of remembering the victims of the tragedy, his government had decided to convert the tragic scene into a National Tourist Memorial Park for the reflection of all the victims of the disaster.

The President ended by thanking all those who supported the country in diverse ways during and after the tragedy, especially the international partners and friends, the military and security agencies, the medical team and professionals, the media and the brave men and women who served as the first responders in supporting the affected communities.