By Amin Kef (Ranger)
A devastating tragedy struck on Monday, September 16, 2024, when a seven-storey building located at 57 Bai Bureh Road, Shell New Road, in Eastern Freetown collapsed between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. The collapse has, so far, claimed the lives of at least ten people, with six others rescued from the wreckage. Several more are feared to be trapped beneath the rubble as rescue efforts continue.
On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh visited the disaster site to assess the situation. He was briefed by Mohamed Gento Kamara about the extent of the tragedy, which included the deaths of two young girls and a boy, all under the age of five. The Vice President learned that 17 individuals were rescued with 10 lives lost, 7 admitted at Rokupa Government Hospital and two others in critical condition.
In his public statement, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh expressed the Government’s commitment to preventing future disasters of this magnitude. “The Government is currently working to establish a national Building Code, which has been absent in this country since independence. Moving forward, we will empower the Ministry of Lands to enforce these Building Codes. High-risk buildings will be demolished to safeguard lives,” he said. He also stressed the importance of continuing the search and rescue operations, promising a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse.
Following his visit to the site, the Vice President visited Rokupa Government Hospital, where survivors were receiving medical treatment. He expressed his sympathy to the victims and reiterated the Government’s commitment to providing necessary assistance.
It must be noted that in the immediate wake of the disaster, Mohamed Gento Kamara, Chairman and CEO of the Gento Group of Companies, quickly mobilized heavy machinery, including an excavator, to assist in the rescue operations. Gento and his team also provided lighting at the site, enabling search and rescue efforts to continue late into the night and early morning. In addition, he extended financial support to prepare meals for local youths who were actively participating in the rescue.
Personnel from the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) were on the ground to coordinate the efforts, while the Sierra Leone Police, the army, medical personnel from the nearby Shuman Hospital, Red Cross and other responders were also present.
A remarkable display of unity across political lines emerged as both ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and opposition All People’s Congress (APC) members joined hands to support the rescue mission. Prominent figures such as Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, FCC Deputy Mayor Kweku Lisk, Mohamed Gento Kamara, and Mohamed Abubakarr Kamara, popularly known as Med-K plus the Honourable Member of Parliament of the Constituency were actively and visibly involved in coordinating efforts at the site.
Speaking at the scene, Hon. Mohamed Gento Kamara said: “This is the kind of spirit we need among politicians. We are all one family. Politics should not divide us but instead, we must ensure we live together in harmony, even if we disagree.”
The NDMA has confirmed that some trapped individuals have been able to communicate their locations to rescuers, raising hopes of more survivors. The collapsed building, owned by non-resident Sierra Leonean Bailor Barrie, served both residential and commercial purposes. Initial investigations suggest poor construction standards and the use of substandard materials contributed to the collapse.
Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Brima Sesay, Director-General of the NDMA, called for greater public awareness regarding the dangers of unqualified contractors and the use of low-quality building materials. He emphasized the Agency’s plans to conduct vulnerability assessments across the country to prevent similar tragedies.
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio also expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the collapse of the building at Shell, Kissy. This is a tragic loss of life. My thoughts and condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones. We will exert every effort to rescue more survivors and provide full support for those affected. A full-scale inquiry will be conducted to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.”
Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, who was absent at the time of the disaster, also expressed her condolences. She assured the public that her office was mobilizing machinery and personnel to support the ongoing rescue efforts. “In my absence, the Deputy Mayor, the FCC Disaster Risk Management Officer and local Councillors are working closely with emergency responders at the scene,” she said.
The NDMA, in collaboration with the Freetown City Council and other partners, continues to lead rescue operations while investigations into the cause of the collapse remain ongoing.
