Grand Kru County, Bettu Town, Sasstown District – February 16, 2026 —
A quiet fishing village in Grand Kru County is mourning the loss of 47-year-old fisherman Kunwon Sieh, whose death at sea has reignited fears about the perilous conditions confronting Liberia’s coastal communities.
Sieh set out alone early Saturday, February 14, on a routine fishing trip—one he had taken countless times before. But he never returned. By evening, anxiety swept through Bettu Town as fellow fishermen scoured the coastline in vain. Hours later, his lifeless body was discovered washed ashore, a grim testament to the unforgiving nature of Grand Kru’s rocky coastline.
District Patrol Commander Officer Prince Yancey reported that law enforcement arrived around 10 p.m. to find Sieh motionless near the waterline, dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans. Preliminary investigations suggest that his small canoe may have struck submerged rocks—one of many hidden hazards beneath the turbulent waters in this coastal region.
Locals describe the sea around Bettu Town as “beautiful but deceptive,” where powerful undercurrents and concealed rock formations lurk just beneath the surface. Fellow fishermen admit that even experienced seafarers approach these waters with caution. “The sea looks calm until it turns against you,” one resident said somberly.
Community members revealed that Sieh was not a strong swimmer, a factor that may have contributed to the tragedy. For many artisanal fishermen like him, safety gear is a luxury, not a guarantee. Most rely on wooden canoes, intuition, and faith—fighting both tides and poverty to sustain their families.
A fifteen-member coroner’s jury later ruled Sieh’s death an accidental drowning, dismissing any suspicion of foul play. Yet the verdict has done little to ease public outrage or sorrow.
Now, as grief ripples through the community, residents are demanding urgent coastal safety reforms—including better hazard mapping, mandatory life jackets, and stronger education campaigns about dangerous fishing zones. Many also stress the need to discourage solo fishing trips, especially in rough-water areas.
Local leaders insist that safety must become a cornerstone of Liberia’s fishing economy, not an afterthought. “Fishing feeds our homes,” said a town elder, “but it shouldn’t cost us our lives.”
Following official proceedings, authorities released Sieh’s body to his brother, Thomas Sieh, for burial. His death, however, leaves behind more than personal loss—it stands as a somber call to action, reminding everyone that for those who live by the sea, survival is never guaranteed.
