Freetown, Sierra Leone – Following the tragic collapse of a seven-story building in the Shell, Kissy area of Freetown, President Julius Maada Bio has expressed profound sorrow and pledged the government's full support for the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.

The building at 57 Bai Bureh Road collapsed on Monday, September 16, 2024, trapping several individuals beneath the rubble. In a heartfelt message on social media, President Bio offered his condolences, stating, "I am deeply saddened to hear about the collapse of a building in Shell, Kissy, east of Freetown. This is a devastating loss. My deepest sympathies go out to all those who have lost loved ones today."

The President assured the public that the government is fully committed to the rescue operations, emphasizing, "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."

Rescue teams, headed by the NDMA, have been working around the clock at the site. So far, six individuals have been rescued, while eight fatalities have been confirmed. The victims include three adult males, two adult females, two young girls under the age of five, and a young boy.

Despite the severity of the collapse, hope remains for those still trapped, as rescuers have reported receiving signals from survivors. Private cranes have been brought in to aid in the delicate and complex recovery process.

In addition to overseeing rescue efforts, President Bio promised a thorough investigation into the cause of the disaster. "We will launch a full-scale inquiry into this tragedy and take every step necessary to prevent such incidents from happening again," he said.

The NDMA, in collaboration with the Freetown City Council and other partners, continues its search and rescue efforts. Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Brima Sesay, Director General of the NDMA, who has been on-site since the collapse, emphasized the importance of public awareness regarding the use of qualified contractors and high-quality building materials to avoid future disasters. He also vowed to continue conducting vulnerability assessments across the country to minimize risks.

Further updates on the rescue operations and the investigation will be provided as new information becomes available.