Sierra Leone building collapse kills 10

In Freetown, Sierra Leone, a devastating building collapse has resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals. The seven-story structure, located on Shell New Road in the capital, fell between 11:00 and 12:00 local time on Monday, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA).

As rescue operations continue, seven survivors have been pulled from the debris. However, rescue teams are still working diligently to locate and assist more individuals trapped beneath the rubble. Some survivors have managed to communicate their locations to rescuers, which has facilitated ongoing efforts.

Among the deceased are two young girls and a boy, all under the age of five. The scene has been harrowing, with local resident Mohamed Camara expressing his anguish to AFP news agency as he awaited news about his wife and three children, who remain trapped.

To aid in the rescue operations, two cranes have been deployed to the site. Earlier, rescuers used picks and their hands to clear the wreckage, highlighting the urgency and challenging conditions of their task.

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation. Initial reports suggest that the building was utilized for both residential and commercial purposes. The NDMA has emphasized the critical need to address the risks associated with using unqualified contractors and substandard materials. Brima Sesay, the head of the NDMA, underscored the importance of raising public awareness about these issues and vowed to continue vulnerability assessments to mitigate the risk of future building collapses.

Sierra Leone, one of the world’s poorest nations, faces significant challenges with construction standards. The use of inferior materials and inadequate building practices is a common issue, exacerbating the risk of such tragedies.

The NDMA’s ongoing efforts aim to improve building safety and reduce the likelihood of similar incidents in the future. As the search for survivors continues, the country grapples with the immediate aftermath of this tragic event, mourning the loss of young lives and supporting those affected by the disaster.