First Lady Fatima Bio Pays Tribute to Regent Mudslide Victims on 8th Anniversary

August 15, 2025

On the eighth anniversary of the devastating Regent mudslide, First Lady Fatima Bio honored the memory of the lives lost in one of Sierra Leone’s most tragic natural disasters.

In a heartfelt statement, she reflected on the deep pain caused by the disaster, the strength of survivors, and the nation’s responsibility to protect its people from future tragedies.

The 14 August 2017 mudslide swept through the Regent community on the outskirts of Freetown, claiming more than a thousand lives and displacing thousands of families. Homes vanished beneath the earth, communities were torn apart, and the entire nation was left grieving.

“The victims were not just numbers,” she said. “They were parents working hard for their children, young people chasing dreams, and elders whose wisdom guided their communities. Their absence is still felt in our streets, schools, markets, and homes.”

She praised the courage and compassion shown in the aftermath, when neighbors, health workers, and volunteers risked everything to save lives and comfort the bereaved. “The world saw a small nation with a big heart, standing strong in the face of unimaginable loss,” she added.

While remembering the past, she urged the country to take decisive steps in environmental protection, urban planning, and disaster readiness, saying that the best way to honor the victims is by safeguarding future generations.

Her message ended with words of unity and commitment: “We remember. We stand together. We will not forget.”