By Myer Saydi/ Sinoe County
Sinoe County — A chilling accident in the dense forests of Sinoe County has left two men dead, creating grief, outrage, and urgent calls for accountability in Liberia’s logging sector.
The victims, William Wleh Tarpeh, 49, and Stephen Chea Jr., 25, contractors with African Finch Logging Limited, were killed when a massive tree collapsed on them during operations in the Numopoh Community Forest, Kpanyan District.
Police investigators described the incident as “horrific,” noting that Tarpeh was pinned beneath a heavy log for nearly two days before his lifeless body was finally recovered. Chea Jr. was rushed to Kilo Town Clinic but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Witnesses say the men had completed their assignment when tragedy struck. A tree felled by an unidentified worker came crashing down, crushing both men instantly.
The recovery operation drew a crowd of county officials, chiefs, elders, and residents, who watched in shock as Tarpeh’s body was pulled from beneath the timber.
For the families, the pain is unbearable. Stephen Chea Sr., father of the younger victim, spoke through tears: “I am fully and painfully frustrated. I don’t see any meaning in living any longer. Why is this world so wicked and heartless?”
Chea’s mother, visibly shattered, lamented: “My son will never come back again. See the nasty way my son died!”
Their words echo the raw anguish of a community grappling with sudden, senseless loss.
African Finch Logging Limited, through its Human Resources Manager Nathaniel Wah, expressed condolences but admitted the men were contracted through a subcontractor. “It was an accident. Nobody deserved such a death. We all regret this, and we console the families. We are in pain and frustrated,” Wah said.
Yet, residents and local authorities are demanding more than sympathy. They want answers: Who was operating the chainsaw? Why have the workers allegedly involved not been identified? And why has logging reportedly continued while families mourn?
Darius Nagbe, Superintendent of Kpanyan District, condemned the company’s “inadequate response.” “We are worried that individuals who allegedly felled the trees are yet to be identified,” Nagbe declared, urging African Finch to hand over the chainsaw operators for police questioning.
The Liberia National Police’s Criminal Services Division, led by Moses Dweh, confirmed that the investigation is ongoing but hampered by the company’s silence. “Unfortunately, the company has not yet identified the workers allegedly involved, which is making it difficult for us to fully establish the circumstances,” Dweh said.
The lack of cooperation has fueled suspicions of negligence and intensified calls for stricter oversight of logging operations across the county.
Beyond grief, the tragedy has ignited broader concerns about safety standards in Liberia’s logging industry. Residents argue that the deaths of Tarpeh and Chea Jr. highlight systemic failures — from poor worker protection to inadequate emergency response.
Community leaders insist that authorities must not only determine responsibility but also enforce safety protocols to prevent future disasters.
For the families, however, justice feels distant. Tarpeh and Chea Jr. left home expecting to return. Instead, their loved ones received their bodies.
The deaths of two hardworking men in Sinoe County are more than a local tragedy; they are a stark reminder of the human cost behind Liberia’s lucrative logging industry.
As investigations drag on and questions remain unanswered, the grief-stricken families of Tarpeh and Chea Jr. — and the community that mourns them — demand one thing above all: truth and accountability.
Until then, the forest of Numopoh will not only echo with the sound of chainsaws but also with the haunting memory of two lives cut short beneath its towering trees.
