Rescue teams are working urgently in Freetown after a seven storey building collapsed at Shell New Road, east of the capital. The incident, which occurred on Monday September 16th, 2024, was as a result of poor construction.

The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has confirmed the recovery of eight bodies, including children and adults, with six survivors pulled from the rubble. 

Many more are feared to be trapped beneath the debris, as the building housed both residential apartments and commercial stores. NDMA’s spokesman Mohamed L. Bah says that there are fears that the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue. 

The operation has been particularly difficult due to the building’s location on a steep slope and in a waterway. The structure, built about three years ago, is situated three to four feet below surface level, further complicating rescue efforts. 

Concerns at the Scene of Incident 

Some youth at the disaster site expressed their frustration, believing rescue efforts would have been more effective if carried out manually.

“Many may be dead before they could be rescued because the cranes and excavators are not fit for this operation,” said Santigie Bangura, a bystander. 

Meanwhile the police have cordoned off the area, stating that this measure is necessary to reduce the risk of further casualties due to potential unseen dangers. 

Scene from the collapse site

Frequent Building Collapses in Freetown 

This is the second building collapse in Freetown in just over a month. In August, a building in Congo Town, on the west side of Freetown, collapsed, resulting in the deaths of at least two people and injuries to two others. Just weeks before that, another four-storey building collapsed, claiming at least three lives.

Deputy Mayor of Freetown, Kweku Lisk, a member of the main opposition party, All People’s Congress (APC) stated that there were efforts to halt the construction of the building at Congo Town. However, the project continued due to what he referred to as “orders from above.” 

The Way Forward in Rescue Efforts 

Deputy Mayor Lisk indicated that they are considering incorporating local manpower in the rescue operations, given the familiarity of local workers with the terrain. 

Meanwhile, NDMA spokesperson Mohamed L. Bah stated that once rescue efforts are complete, a full assessment will be conducted. Legal actions may be taken against the building owners and contractors involved. 

Scene from the collapse site

The Government’s Role 

The Local Government Act places the authority of granting building permits with the Ministry of Local Government. However, that power is not shared with the Freetown City Council. 

In 2023, Freetown Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, highlighted the council’s severely limited powers, noting how this restriction hampers their ability to manage disasters effectively. 

Government officials from various ministries, departments and agencies were present at the scene, overseeing rescue operations. Some citizens have blamed the government for relaxed building regulations, but the Minister of Housing and Country Planning has stated that the collapsed building was unauthorized. 

Calls for stronger building regulations and evacuation of nearby structures have grown louder as concerns of safety intensifies. 

STORY DONE BY: IBRAHEEM MANSARAY