A seven-story building collapse in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, has killed at least 10 people, while rescuers continue to search for more survivors. The collapse, which occurred on Shell New Road in the eastern part of the city, trapped numerous people beneath the rubble. So far, seven individuals have been rescued, but others remain trapped, with some able to communicate their locations to rescuers.
The incident happened between 11:00 and 12:00 local time on Monday. Among the victims are three children under the age of five. Two cranes have been deployed to assist rescue operations, which initially involved workers using picks and their bare hands.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) is investigating the cause of the collapse, with early indications suggesting the use of substandard building materials and unqualified contractors as potential factors. The building served both residential and commercial purposes.
Mohamed Camara, a resident, shared his grief as his wife and three children are still trapped in the wreckage. NDMA head Brima Sesay emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about construction risks and vowed to continue conducting vulnerability assessments to prevent future building collapses in Sierra Leone, one of the world’s poorest nations where construction standards are often low.
