AYV News, August 16, 2024
Director of Communications of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Mohamed L. Bah has confirmed that search and rescue efforts are ongoing at the collapsed four-storey building at Congo Town, Freetown.
Three people who are construction workers have been rescued and they have been taken to the hospital. About ten hours ago since the building collapsed, Bah said they suspect that others are still trapped in the debris.
This happened less than a month after another four-storey building collapsed in Freetown killing three people including a 19-year-old pregnant woman.
The incident, which occurred around 1:30 pm, prompted an immediate and coordinated emergency response. The building, owned by Mr Abdulai Boi Jalloh, collapsed due to what initial investigations suggest was a combination of poor construction design and the use of substandard building materials.
In collaboration with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), the Freetown City Council (FCC), the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), and other emergency agencies, the NDMA led a rigorous three-day search and rescue mission. The efforts were supported by the invaluable assistance of community volunteers and stakeholders.
A total of four construction workers were pulled from the rubble. Tragically, one worker was found deceased at the scene, and another succumbed to injuries after being rushed to the hospital. The remaining two victims, who sustained injuries, are currently receiving medical treatment provided by the NDMA and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
The collapse also destroyed five vehicles parked on the ground floor, which was being used as a garage. These vehicles have since been removed from the site.
The NDMA has officially concluded the search and rescue operation and expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims. The agency reiterates the urgent need for strict adherence to construction regulations, urging all citizens to hire qualified engineers and use quality materials to prevent such tragedies in the future.
