In the wake of a devastating building collapse in Shell, Kissy, east part of Freetown, President Julius Maada Bio has expressed his profound sorrow and committed the full resources of the government to support ongoing rescue and recovery efforts. The tragic collapse of a seven-story building on 57 Bai Bureh Road has resulted in the loss of several lives and left many others trapped beneath the rubble.
In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, President Bio conveyed his condolences, saying, “I am deeply saddened to hear about the collapse of a building in Shell, Kissy, east part of Freetown. This is a devastating loss. My deepest sympathies go out to all those who have lost loved ones today.”
The President assured citizens that the government is fully backing the rescue efforts and mobilizing resources to ensure that survivors are rescued swiftly. “We will mobilize all resources to rescue those trapped and provide comprehensive support to the survivors. The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) will lead the effort with the full backing of my administration,” President Bio stated.
Teams led by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) have been working tirelessly at the collapse site. So far, six individuals have been rescued, and eight fatalities have been confirmed. Among the deceased are three adult males, two adult females, two girls under the age of five, and a young boy. Despite the heartbreaking toll, rescuers remain hopeful, having received signals from survivors still trapped beneath the debris.
The complex recovery process has been aided by private cranes brought in to assist with the delicate operation. Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Brima Sesay, Director General of the NDMA, has been on-site overseeing the efforts. He highlighted the importance of public awareness concerning the use of qualified contractors and high-quality building materials to prevent future tragedies.
In addition to the immediate focus on rescue operations, President Bio pledged a thorough investigation into the cause of the building collapse. “We will launch a full-scale inquiry into this tragedy and take every step necessary to prevent such incidents from happening again,” he promised.
The NDMA, in partnership with the Freetown City Council and other relevant authorities, continues to prioritize search and rescue efforts. Authorities also plan to conduct vulnerability assessments across the country to minimize risks and prevent similar disasters in the future.
Further updates will be provided as rescue operations continue and investigations progress.
