By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
A devastating incident unfolded on Saturday morning, June 14, 2025, when a perimeter wall collapsed at Mansaray Drive along Lumley Road, claiming the lives of a mother and her young child, this heartrending event has once again thrust the spotlight onto the pressing need for stricter building regulations and enforcement in Sierra Leone’s rapidly expanding capital, where urbanization outpaces safety measures.
Eyewitnesses reported that the collapse occurred in the early hours following intense overnight rainfall, which likely weakened the structure, the victims, residents of a nearby makeshift dwelling, were asleep when the wall gave way, burying them under tons of debris, Neighbors swiftly mobilized, rescuing a second child, believed to be around seven years old, who is now in critical condition at Connaught Hospital. Emergency responders arrived promptly but confirmed the mother and her other child had perished at the scene.
Initial investigations by local authorities suggest structural deficiencies and poor drainage as key factors in the collapse. experts also highlight the absence of rigorous site inspections and the unchecked proliferation of residential expansions as persistent problems, a visibly distraught community elder remarked near the site, this tragedy is a stark reminder of neglect and flawed urban planning. Without urgent action, more lives are at risk this isn’t the first time.
Freetown has seen a troubling pattern of similar disasters in recent years, with at least a dozen fatal incidents linked to unregulated construction, inadequate drainage, and substandard materials, particularly during the rainy season. These vulnerabilities have turned parts of the city into danger zones for residents.
As of Sunday morning, Freetown’s Mayor and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning have not issued an official statement, however, city council representatives on the ground have pledged to deploy an inter-agency task force to evaluate other at-risk structures in Lumley, this response, while welcomed, has done little to quell public frustration.
Residents and civil society groups are demanding immediate action. Urban housing advocate Mariatu Bangura stressed, enforcement must replace empty policies, too many families live in peril due to lax oversight and the absence of affordable, safe housing options. Her call echoes a growing chorus for systemic reform.
As the investigation unfolds, the Lumley community grapples with grief and a familiar sense of loss. For the affected families, this tragedy is a personal wound, yet it mirrors a broader, preventable crisis that demands swift resolution.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 18th June, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
