Freetown, Sierra Leone – In the wake of a devastating building collapse in the Shell, Kissy area of Freetown, President Julius Maada Bio expressed his deep sorrow and commitment to supporting rescue and recovery efforts.
The collapse occurred on Monday, 16th September 2024, when a seven-story building at 57 Bai Bureh Road suddenly gave way, trapping several people inside.
President Bio took to social media to convey his condolences, writing, “I am saddened to learn about the collapse of a building at Shell, Kissy, east of Freetown. This is a devastating loss. My deepest condolences go out to all those who have lost loved ones today.”
He assured the public that the government is fully engaged in the rescue operations.
“We will muster all our efforts to rescue, where possible, and provide all the support for survivors. The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) will lead on this effort with the full support of my government,” the President stated.
Rescue teams, led by the NDMA, have been working tirelessly at the site since the incident. So far, six survivors have been pulled from the rubble, while eight fatalities have been confirmed, including three adult males, two adult females, two young girls under the age of five, and one young boy.
Despite the tragedy, there remains hope for those still trapped beneath the debris. Rescuers have confirmed that some victims are able to communicate their locations, and private cranes have been deployed to assist in the delicate recovery process.
In his statement, President Bio also promised that the government would take all necessary steps to prevent future disasters.
“We will launch a full-scale inquiry into this disaster and do all we can to prevent any recurrence of such a tragedy,” he said.
The NDMA, in partnership with the Freetown City Council and other agencies, continues its efforts to recover more victims.
Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Brima Sesay, Director General of the NDMA, who has been at the scene since the collapse, stressed the need for public awareness about the dangers of unqualified contractors and substandard building materials.
He also pledged to continue vulnerability assessments to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Further updates on the rescue efforts and investigation will be provided in the coming days.
