By: Edrie Caleb John
A devastating seven-story building collapse occurred yesterday, September 17, 2024, at 57 Bai Bureh Road, Shell New Road, leaving eight people dead and six survivors rescued. More people are feared trapped beneath the debris, with rescue efforts ongoing.
The incident happened at around 11 a.m. when the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) received an emergency call reporting the collapse of the building, owned by Bailor Barrie, a non-resident of Sierra Leone. The building was used for both residential and commercial purposes.
Thus far, six survivors have been rescued from the rubble, while eight victims have been confirmed dead (three adult males, two adult females, two young girls under five, and one young boy under five). The NDMA has confirmed that more people remain trapped beneath the debris, with some able to communicate their locations to rescuers.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud crash as the building came down. Emergency response teams from the NDMA and Freetown City Council are on the scene, with two private cranes assisting in rescue operations.
Bystanders and local community members initially attempted to rescue trapped victims with makeshift tools before the arrival of emergency response teams.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, and authorities have not issued a statement. The condition of those trapped is unclear, and fears rise that casualty numbers may increase if rescue operations are delayed.
Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Brima Sesay, Director General of the NDMA, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to raising public awareness about the risks associated with using unqualified contractors and substandard building materials.
The tragedy has left the community in crisis, with many calling for stricter regulations in the construction industry to address negligence, greed, and lack of expertise.
Further updates will be provided in due course.