Local Story
BOMI County – A tragic mudslide has claimed the life of a 37-year-old man, identified as Soko Smith, at the Mombo Camp Two mining site in Klay District, Bomi County.
By: William S. Kromah – Contributor
According to reports, the incident occurred on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at approximately 5:50 p.m. Mr. Smith, along with two other men identified as Prince Daniel and Daniel Mehn, had allegedly left the camp late in the evening to engage in unauthorized mining activities.
The camp master, Mr. Julius Kerkulah, and the mining field general manager, Mr. Alphonso Kollie, confirmed that the three men entered the mining pit without consent or supervision from camp authorities.
Later that evening, reports reached the camp that a mudslide had occurred, trapping one of the men beneath the earth. In response, local authorities and camp residents rushed to the scene to verify the information. However, Prince Daniel and Daniel Mehn reportedly fled the area before help arrived.
Following the incident, local chiefs and officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) ordered an immediate search for the missing man. After several hours of digging, residents recovered the lifeless body of Soko Smith in the early hours of Monday, October 27, 2025.
Medical practitioners and law enforcement officers who examined the body confirmed that Mr. Smith died instantly from injuries sustained during the mudslide. A 15-man jury was subsequently constituted to determine whether any foul play was involved.
According to the findings of the jury and police investigation, no foul play was detected. Police authorities thereafter advised the family to sign for the body for burial.
However, some family members initially expressed reservations, citing the disappearance of Prince Daniel and Daniel Mehn as a major concern. They questioned why the two men, who were reportedly present at the scene, had not come forward to provide statements, and feared that burying the body prematurely could compromise the investigation.
Police officials later reassured the family that investigations remain ongoing and that efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the two fleeing individuals. Authorities also issued a three-day ultimatum to the camp master to ensure the suspects are presented for questioning.
Following these assurances, the family eventually signed for the body, which was later taken for burial, while investigations continue.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with illegal and unsupervised mining activities, which continue to claim lives across Liberia’s mining communities.
