By G. Watson Richards
A transport train operated by China Union Investment (Liberia) Bong Mines Co. Ltd. has allegedly cut off the left leg of a Liberian worker identified only as Chris.
“Chris was getting off the train after the conductor announced that it had stopped. Unfortunately, the train was never in a stopped position,” an eyewitness told this paper.
The incident occurred early Thursday morning along the rail corridor operated by China Union Investment (Liberia) Bong Mines Co. Ltd., where workers were carrying out routine transport duties tied to mining operations in Bong County.
Chris, a local employee assigned to rail operations support, reportedly attempted to disembark after what colleagues described as a routine stop announcement. The train, however, is said to have still been in motion or not fully halted at the time.
Fellow workers who were present described a chaotic scene immediately after the accident, with shouting heard along the tracks as efforts were made to assist the injured man.
Reports indicate that he was quickly rushed for medical attention, though details of his current condition beyond the loss of his left leg remain limited as of press time.
An anonymous source within the company, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the moments leading up to the incident and suggested a possible lapse in safety coordination.
“This happened this morning on the China Union company Liberian workers train… A worker of China Union lost his leg while trying to get down from the train,” the source said.
The source further indicated that confusion over the train’s actual stopping status may have contributed to the accident, raising concerns among workers about communication between train operators and ground staff.
Other employees at the site have also expressed concern over what they describe as recurring safety risks linked to rail movements within the company’s operational areas.
The Bong Mines rail line, heavily used for transporting iron ore and personnel, remains a critical part of China Union’s mining logistics in Liberia but has also been flagged by workers as an area requiring stronger safety enforcement.
Community members living near the rail corridor have called for stricter adherence to safety procedures, particularly during boarding and disembarking operations.
This publication was unable to obtain an official statement from China Union Investment (Liberia) Bong Mines Co. Ltd. regarding the incident or any immediate corrective measures.
Many Liberians, including employees working at the mining sites, have repeatedly raised concerns about occupational safety standards in large-scale mining and transport operations across the country.
Investigations are expected to determine whether procedural lapses, mechanical failure, or human error contributed to the accident that left Chris permanently disabled.
