Freetown, September 16, 2024 – A devastating building collapse occurred on Monday along Shell Bai Bureh Road, as a four-story structure crumbled to the ground, leaving dozens, including children, feared trapped beneath the rubble.
The tragic incident has launched a large-scale rescue operation as emergency teams race against time to save survivors.
Although the cause of the collapse is still under investigation, early indications point to potential structural weaknesses. This catastrophe comes amid growing concerns over the quality of construction materials used in the country.
Just weeks prior, a local journalist had raised alarms about the influx of substandard building materials, warning of the dangers they posed. Experts have since echoed these concerns, noting that poor materials coupled with inadequate construction practices have led to a rise in building collapses across Sierra Leone.
As rescue efforts continue, public frustration has mounted, with many calling for stricter regulations and more rigorous oversight in the construction industry.
The collapse underscores a broader issue of building safety in the country, where rapid urbanization and weak enforcement of building codes have created a perfect storm for such disasters.
Authorities are expected to release further information as investigations progress, but for now, the focus remains on rescuing survivors and addressing the critical issue of infrastructure safety nationwide.
