Freetown, Sierra Leone – Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh visited the site of a tragic building collapse on Bai Bureh Road, Shell New Road, where a seven-storey structure crumbled, leaving devastation in its wake.
The vice president was briefed on rescue efforts, which have so far saved six survivors from the wreckage, while eight fatalities have been confirmed.
During his address at the scene, Vice President Jalloh emphasized the government’s commitment to implementing a national Building Code, which has been lacking since the country’s independence.
He announced plans to empower the Ministry of Lands to enforce these regulations and vowed that high-risk structures would be demolished to prevent future disasters.
“Let the search and rescue mission continue to recover more people, and after that, the government will thoroughly investigate the cause of this disaster,” Jalloh stated.
The vice president also pledged that the government would continue providing resources and materials to support ongoing rescue operations.
He offered his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a swift recovery.
Following the site visit, Vice President Jalloh stopped at Rokupa Government Hospital, where the survivors are receiving medical treatment.
He expressed his sympathy to the patients and reassured them that the government would thoroughly investigate the incident and ensure accountability.
The Disaster Management Agency reported that more individuals remain trapped beneath the debris, with some survivors managing to communicate their locations to rescue teams.
The collapsed building, owned by non-resident Bailor Barrie, was used for both residential and commercial purposes.
Early investigations suggest the disaster may have been caused by poor construction practices and substandard materials. Authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and investigate the root causes of the collapse.
