By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the National Disaster Management Agency, has launched a coordinated multi-agency emergency response following the collapse of a five-storey building under construction at 113A Kissy Road in the East End of Freetown.
According to information released by the NDMA, the building collapsed at about 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, near the popular Starco Cinema area, causing partial damage to two nearby buildings and disrupting movement along the busy Kissy Road corridor.
In response to the incident, authorities immediately cordoned off the affected area to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic as emergency personnel moved in to assess the situation and prevent further danger.
The operation brought together several government institutions and humanitarian partners, including the Freetown City Council, Sierra Leone Police, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Sierra Leone Roads Authority, the Ministry of Works and Public Assets, the Ministry of Energy, and the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society.
Preliminary assessments conducted by NDMA officers at the scene confirmed that no fatalities had been recorded and that there was no immediate indication that anyone remained trapped beneath the debris.
However, initial findings from ongoing investigations suggest that the collapse may have been caused by the use of substandard construction materials and poor building practices allegedly employed by the contractor handling the project.
Authorities further disclosed that the owner of the collapsed structure is believed to be residing in the United States, while efforts to contact relatives in Sierra Leone and the contractor responsible for the construction have so far proven unsuccessful.
Speaking on the development, Director General of the NDMA, John Vandy Rogers, expressed concern over the apparent disregard for engineering and safety standards.
The preliminary assessment points to serious concerns regarding construction standards and engineering compliance.
We are grateful that no lives have been lost in this unfortunate incident. The NDMA, together with our partners, is fully engaged in ensuring the area is secured, the rubble cleared, and investigations thoroughly conducted to establish accountability,” Rogers stated.
Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, described the incident as a serious warning about the growing dangers posed by unsafe construction activities in the capital city.
“This incident is a painful reminder of the dangers posed by unsafe construction practices. The safety of residents must always come first, and we will continue working closely with the relevant authorities to strengthen compliance with approved building standards and protect our communities,” the Mayor said.
Authorities noted that the NDMA and the Sierra Leone Roads Authority are currently coordinating the deployment of heavy-duty equipment, including excavators, to remove debris from the site and restore normal traffic flow along Kissy Road.
Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Energy have already removed exposed electrical cables and damaged utility poles around the affected area in order to reduce the risk of electrocution and stabilize electricity supply to surrounding communities.
The Government has assured the public that investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing and that additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The incident has once again reignited public concern over weak enforcement of building regulations and the increasing number of unsafe construction projects emerging across parts of the capital.
Many residents are now calling on authorities to intensify inspections, enforce compliance with approved engineering standards, and hold those responsible accountable in order to prevent future disasters.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 1st June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
