By D. Abraham Cooper, Nimba D-9 TV Grand Gedeh County Reporter,+231888362413

Duogee, Grand Gedeh County, Liberia: – A devastating accident in the forest of Duogee Town, B’hai Administrative District, has resulted in the tragic deaths of three Burkinabe cocoa farmers, with one surviving the calamity. The incident occurred early on August 24, 2024, when a large decayed tree fell onto the hut where the farmers were staying.

The victims have been identified as Sawadog Mohammed Desire, 34; Yameogo Oliver, 25; and Tiono Ouibila, 25. The sole survivor, Antoine Tapsoba, 34, managed to escape but sustained injuries. The farmers had traveled from Burkina Faso to Liberia to cultivate cocoa on the local land.

Investigations by local authorities suggest that the tragic event was a direct result of unsafe land-clearing practices. The farmers had cleared parts of the forest but left the tree roots intact and burned the back, which led to the remaining trees becoming unstable and eventually collapsing. This oversight created hazardous conditions, culminating in the catastrophic tree fall.

A 15-member coroner jury conducted a thorough examination and confirmed that the cause of death for the three individuals was indeed the falling tree. In response to the incident, the bodies have been released to their families for burial, following the procedural review led by administrative officer Hon. Madison Neewray and the Liberia National Police (LNP).

The LNP has also summoned Mr. Othello Bah, the owner of the farmland where the accident occurred, for questioning at the Toe Town Police Detachment to clarify any potential liabilities or negligence related to the tragedy.

This heart-wrenching event underscores the urgent need for safer agricultural practices. Local authorities are calling on farmers to adhere to safer methods for land clearing to prevent such avoidable tragedies in the future.

Stay tuned to Nimba D-9 TV for further updates on this and other local news.