Warden Information

Free Street Explosion - Freetown, December 20, 2007

At approximately 2:00 p.m. on December 20 a fire and explosion occurred at a multi-story building on heavily populated Free Street in the downtown business area of Freetown.  Initial reports indicate at least 17 people have been killed and 28 are critically injured.  The fire and explosion appear to be accidental, but precise cause is still unknown.

American citizens are currently urged to avoid the area due to traffic congestion and crowds.

U.S. citizens in Sierra Leone are strongly encouraged to register with the Department of State at https://travelregistration.state.gov.  Anyone without Internet access may register in person at the U.S. Embassy in Freetown and obtain information there on travel and security in Sierra Leone.  The U.S. Embassy is located at Leicester/Regent in Freetown and our telephone numbers for American citizen emergencies are 232 22 515 000 or 232 76 515 000.  After regular business hours please call 232 76 634 603.  You can also visit our website http://freetown.usembassy.gov to obtain the most up to date information.

For the latest security information, Americans should regularly monitor the Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.   For additional information on travel to Sierra Leone see the Department’s Consular Information Sheet for Sierra Leone.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).