AYV News, August 13, 2024

The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has confirmed that a four-storey building under construction on Main Motor Road in Congo Town, Freetown tragically collapsed, trapping constructions workers under the rubbles.

The building, owned by Mr. Boi (surname yet to be confirmed), came crashing down, reportedly due to poor construction design and the use of substandard building materials.

The NDMA said it has coordinated with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces to provide an excavator to assist in the rescue efforts, adding that other relevant sector players are also on the ground supporting the operations.

On to press time last evening, two construction workers have been successfully pulled from the rubbles, though with injuries, with the help of community volunteers and taken to the nearest hospital.

However, it is feared that several more workers remain trapped beneath the debris and that the exact number of those trapped has yet been confirmed, as efforts continue to locate and rescue the victims.

The NDMA has categorised building and fence collapses as a major hazard, urging citizens to always hire qualified engineers for their construction projects and to use quality materials.