Panic gripped residents of Fofana Kunda in KaurKuntaur Wharf Town on Sunday night after a Gamtel/Gamcel antenna came crashing down on a family home, leaving two people injured and causing extensive damage.
The incident, which occurred in the Lower River Region under the Kuntaur Area Council, has raised serious concerns about the safety of telecommunication structures in residential areas.
According to family members, the victims identified as Fatoumatta Laina Fofana and Fatoumatta Wally sustained injuries when parts of the antenna and falling cement blocks struck them. They were later rushed to Bansang General Hospital, where medical staff conducted X-rays to assess possible internal injuries.
Eyewitnesses said the collapse happened while some members of the household were indoors and others preparing for bed. “My cousin sister, Fatoumatta Laina, was entering the house when an iron rod nearly pierced her eye. My elder brother’s daughter, Fatoumatta Wally, was hit on the waist by a cement block as she tried to escape. She fell and was struck again by another block,” a relative recounted.
The family told JollofNews that they had repeatedly raised concerns about the deteriorating state of the antenna, which was visibly corroded and held up by weak cable wires. Despite these warnings, they claim Gamtel took no action to maintain or replace the structure.
“There was no loss of life, but two of our daughters were badly affected. We are traumatised, especially our mothers, who are hypertensive patients. During the incident, we feared the worst,” said Muhammed Fofana, a family member.
He added that the emotional toll on the household was severe. “I am a nurse myself, and I had to control our mothers’ blood pressure with medication because the shock sent it soaring.”
The incident has since been reported to the local police, and the family says they are awaiting official follow-up.
As of press time, Gamtel/Gamcel has not issued a public statement regarding the collapse.
