Police Holding Five Men As Persons Of Interest, As Local Authorities Call For Stricter Adherence To Safety Protocols @ Mining Sites
By Emmanuel Koffa
BAFOWEAN, DORBOR, Liberia– Two men, Richard Saba and Stephen Doe have lost their lives in a tragic accident at a gold mining site in Bafowean, Dorbor District in the southeastern Grand Kru County.
The incident happened on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
According to reports, Mr. Franco Togba, 45, a resident of Sasstown, informed authorities that his brother, Richard Saba, had been involved in an accident at the mining site around 2:45 PM. A police team, led by Supt. Leon Q. Acquah of the Criminal Security Department (CSD) in Grand Kru County, promptly responded to the scene, arriving at approximately 5:00 Pm GMT.
Upon arrival, officers found Richard Saba lying face down in a large gold pit.
Initial investigation revealed that Stephen Doe, another worker at the site, had been rushed to a clinic in Nyankunpo, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police have taken five individuals as persons of interest in connection with the incident. Lawrence Williams, 29, Jerry Chebortoh, 44, and Patrick N. Weah, 29, all residents of Baforwhen, told authorities that they were working on the gold mining field owned by S. Taryee Doe, 52, and Jerome N. Coleman, 51, when a pile of dirt collapsed on Saba and Doe. Attempts to rescue the victims were unsuccessful.
The mining site owners confirmed the incident, stating that their workers had begun operations at around 9:00 AM, and they were later alerted that an accident had occurred. While Saba was found dead on-site, Doe succumbed to his injuries at the clinic.
The Dorbor District Coroner convened a fifteen-member jury to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Their findings indicated that there was no foul play involved.
Following that, the families of the deceased requested that the bodies be released for burial.
The victims’ remains have since been handed over to their families, while the persons of interest were taken to Barclayville for further investigation.
This incident underscores the ongoing safety concerns in gold mining operations across the region.
Local authorities have called for stricter adherence to safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.