SIERRA Leone’s President Julius Bio has called for an extensive investigation following the collapse of a seven-storey building in Freetown, which has left at least eight people dead, including three children. Rescue teams are still searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
The building, located in the eastern part of the capital, was reportedly used for both residential and commercial purposes. According to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the tragedy occurred on Monday, leaving three men, two women, two young girls, and a boy under the age of five among the victims.
President Bio, in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressed his condolences and assured the public that the government would take steps to ensure such a disaster does not happen again. ‘We will conduct a thorough inquiry into this catastrophe and take every measure to prevent future incidents,’ he said.
Rescue efforts underway
While the exact cause of the collapse remains unclear, it is believed that dozens of people lived in the building. Rescue operations are ongoing, with cranes deployed to aid the efforts. The president has pledged full government support for the rescue mission led by the NDMA.
‘We are fully mobilising all resources to rescue survivors and provide necessary support to those affected,’ Bio added.
An AFP journalist at the scene reported that rescue workers, armed with shovels, pickaxes, and their bare hands, were desperately searching for those still trapped beneath the wreckage.
Hopes for more survivors
Crowds continue to gather at the site of the disaster, where piles of concrete slabs and debris from the collapsed building are scattered near neighbouring homes with corrugated metal roofs.
The NDMA has reaffirmed its commitment to the rescue efforts, stating that they are ‘focused on recovering more victims trapped under the debris.’
In light of the tragedy, the agency has pledged to intensify vulnerability assessments of buildings across the country to mitigate the risk of future collapses. ‘We will continue our efforts to reduce the frequency of such incidents through proactive measures,’ the NDMA said.
