By Ezekiel David
Rescue efforts are underway in Freetown, Sierra Leone, following the collapse of a seven-story building on Shell New Road.
At least ten people have lost their lives as a result of the tragedy, which happened on Monday between 11:00 and 12:00 local time, three of them were younger than five.
Seven people have been pulled out of the rubble, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). Others are still trapped, some of whom are able to signal their location to rescuers.
Two cranes have been deployed to assist rescue teams, who initially used picks and their bare hands to clear debris. Local resident Mohamed Camara expressed anguish as he confirmed his wife and three children were among those trapped.
The NDMA has launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse. Preliminary assessments indicate the building housed both residential and commercial units.
Brima Sesay, the head of NDMA, underlined the significance of educating the public about the risks associated with hiring unlicensed builders and using inferior building materials. He promised to keep performing vulnerability assessments in order to prevent future building collapses across the country.
Sierra Leone, grappling with poverty, often sees buildings constructed with inadequate materials, increasing the risk of such tragedies.
(Source: BBC)
