In Touny, a district of the rural commune of Tountouroun, in the Labé prefecture, the bodies of three children aged 10 to 12 were recovered from a septic tank, three days after their disappearance, on Monday, September 15, 2025. The victims were identified as Boubacar Barry, Mamadou Saidou Barry, and Thierno Tely Barry. Two of them were brothers.

Broken families

On the verge of tears, Abdouramane Barry, father of two victims, recounts the horror: "The children left yesterday around 6 p.m. to look for the cattle. Unfortunately, today, they were found dead in a septic tank. Boubacar was in 5th grade and Mamadou Saidou in 2nd. Since they used to spend the night at the Koranic home, we thought they were there. When we noticed they were missing, we started searching. They are my children..."

Mamadou Lamarana Barry, father of the third victim, was equally dismayed: "I thought my son was at his Koranic home as usual. This morning, as I was about to go and pick him up, my in-laws called me. When I arrived, I saw the remains... I immediately recognized my son. It's a dark day for me."

This tragedy has highlighted the danger posed by uncovered septic tanks in the locality. Souleymane Bah, president of the Touny district, promises firm action. "We will take action against septic tanks not covered with concrete. Never again will a pit be dug and left abandoned. Those responsible will be held accountable before the law in the event of a tragedy."

The remains of the three children were returned to their families for burial, plunging Touny into deep sadness.