*Tragic Seven-Story Building Collapse at Shell New Road: Rescue Efforts Ongoing*
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) received an emergency call between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. today, Monday, 16th September 2024, reporting the collapse of a seven-story building located at 57 Bai Bureh Ro
ad, Shell New Road.
The building, owned by Bailor Barrie, a non-resident of Sierra Leone, was used for both residential and commercial purposes, according to initial assessments and eyewitness accounts.
Thus far, six survivors have been rescued from the rubble, while eight victims have been confirmed dead (three adult males, two adult females, two young girls under five, and one young boy under five). The NDMA has confirmed that more people remain trapped beneath the debris, with some able to communicate their locations to rescuers.
Due to the magnitude of the incident, the NDMA, in collaboration with the Freetown City Council (FCC) and other partners, has secured two private cranes to assist with the ongoing rescue operations.
The NDMA and its partners remain committed to the rescue efforts, hoping to recover more victims trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Brima Sesay, Director General of the NDMA, who has been on-site since the incident occurred, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to raising public awareness about the risks associated with using unqualified contractors and substandard building materials. He also emphasized that the NDMA will continue conducting vulnerability assessments to help reduce the frequency of building collapses across the country.
Further updates will be provided in due course.
*©️Directorate of Communications*
*NDMA*
*THE ORACLE NEWSPAPER*
*FOUR-STORY BUILDING COLLAPSES AT SHELL NEW ROAD: MULTIPLE LIVES AND HOMES AFFECTED*
*By Ibrahim saddam d country e yai*
A four-story building at Shell New Road in Freetown tragically collapsed today, resulting in many lives feared to be trapped beneath the debris. The disaster has not only affected those inside the building but has also caused significant damage to neighboring houses, leaving several homes destroyed and many families displaced.
According to eyewitness reports and initial investigations, the collapse is believed to have been caused by poor construction practices, particularly the inadequate mixture of sand and cement used during the building’s construction. Sources indicate that the building, which housed multiple families, began to show signs of structural instability before suddenly crumbling to the ground.
Rescue teams, including the Sierra Leone Police, National Fire Force, and local volunteers, have been working tirelessly to search for survivors trapped under the rubble. The scale of the destruction has made rescue operations extremely difficult, and the risk of further collapses from surrounding structures remains high.
Local residents described the scene as chaotic, with neighboring homes also suffering severe damage due to the collapse. Some houses were completely destroyed, while others were left partially damaged, forcing many people to flee the area in search of safety.
One community member shared their frustration, noting that many buildings in the area have been constructed without adhering to proper safety regulations. “We’ve seen too many of these incidents. Builders cut corners, and innocent lives pay the price,” said one distraught resident.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and are focusing on recovering those who may still be alive under the debris. The total number of casualties remains unclear, but the number of families affected by both the collapse and damage to nearby homes is expected to be significant.
In the wake of the tragedy, local officials have vowed to investigate the incident thoroughly, particularly looking into the construction process and whether building regulations were violated. Shell New Road, a densely populated area, has seen rapid development in recent years, but there have been growing concerns about the quality of construction.
Experts emphasize that poor building practices, particularly the improper mixture of sand and cement, can lead to severe structural weaknesses. In this case, it appears that negligence in construction standards has resulted in a devastating loss of both lives and property.
As the search for survivors continues, community members are left grappling with the aftermath of the disaster, calling for justice and better building regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. For now, the focus remains on rescuing those who are still trapped and providing assistance to the families who have lost their homes.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the critical importance of following proper construction protocols to safeguard lives and property in urban areas like Freetown.
Tragedy Strucks Again!!
*The Ministry of Lands and Country Planning Must be Immediately Summoned by Parliament.*
As a concerned citizen, I am calling on the Parliament of Sierra Leone to immediately summon the Minister of Lands and Country Planning and his officials, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority and Environment Protection Agency to provide answers on why we are witnessing the frequent loss of lives occasioned by collapsing buildings in Freetown.
On what is supposed to be a peaceful Muslim holiday today, we are yet again greeted with the tragic news that a seven storey building at the East end of Freetown has collapsed – leaving dozens trapped in rubble whilst many are feared dead.
The Ministry of Lands which has the mandate to issue building permits must be made to provide answers on why individuals continue to build houses on disaster prone areas. I have been reliably told that the building that collapsed this morning was erected on a valley between Shell New Road and Richard Allen School. Those who are familiar with that area will tell that you whoever decided to build a house of such collosal size was on a mission to murder innocent citizens.
To my knowledge, there were persistent calls on the Ministry of Lands and other relevant authorities to stop the construction of that particular building. Prominet among tCitizens who made those calls was Alie Bai Kamara of Citizen Radio. These calls however fell on deaf ears and the said building was completed with no regard to the potential consequences.
This year alone, about 5 storey buildings have collapes in various parts of the city killing scores of people. How many more will die before we realize that the Ministry of Lands is the major culprit?
My heart goes to the victims of today’s tragedy at Kissy.
©️Emmanuel Sheku Sesay
Senior Citizen – Freetown
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