Seven-Storey Building Collapse in Freetown

A seven-storey building in Freetown, Sierra Leone, collapsed on Monday, resulting in at least eight fatalities, including three young children. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with six individuals rescued and more people reportedly trapped beneath the rubble, some of whom have communicated their locations to rescuers. The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) is investigating the cause of the collapse, which occurred between 11:00 and 12:00 local time and involved a structure used for both residential and commercial purposes. Local resident Mohamed Camara expressed despair as his wife and three children remain trapped. Brima Sesay, head of the NDMA, called for increased public awareness about the dangers of employing unqualified contractors and using substandard materials in construction. The incident highlights ongoing infrastructure challenges in one of the world’s poorest nations, where building collapses are unfortunately common.