Building collapses in Sierra Leone, several feared trapped

Xinhua
12 Aug 2024, 23:45 GMT+10

FREETOWN, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) of Sierra Leone said a four-story building collapsed Monday in Freetown, the country's capital, and several people were feared buried under the rubble.

Mohamed Bah, director of communications at the NDMA, told Xinhua over the phone that emergency response teams were quickly dispatched to the scene of the collapsed building and worked tirelessly to extricate any individuals who may have been trapped underneath the wreckage.

Initial investigations have pointed to substandard construction practices as the cause of the accident, he said.

The collapse of the building came amid an ongoing heavy rainfall that has been inundating the region since the previous month. The downpour has resulted in flooding and the erosion of essential infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Sierra Leone Times.

More Information

null in null

Business

Section

Oil prices flat amid trade talks and rising OPEC+ output

Oil holds steady as US-China talks, demand signals in focus

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Oil prices remained steady on June 9 as investors looked ahead to the outcome of the U.S.-China trade talks...

Coal vs. water: India’s energy push fuels local shortages

India's coal power boom runs dry as water crisis deepens

CHANDRAPUR/SOLAPUR (India): As India doubles down on coal to fuel its growing energy needs, an invisible crisis is surfacing: the country...

Nasdaq Composite climbs 124 points on China-U.S. trade talks optimism

U.S. stocks advance as positive vibes come from U.S.-China trade talks

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets rose Tuesday as investors and traders anticipated a positive outcome from ongoing trade talks...

Beijing approves rare earth shipments to top three US automakers

China clears rare earth exports for US carmaker suppliers

BEIJING/WASHINGTON, D.C.: In a rare move aimed at easing mounting supply chain pressure, China has issued temporary export licenses...

UBS faces $26B capital demand under Swiss post-crisis plan

Switzerland hits UBS with $26B capital rule after CS takeover

BERN, Switzerland: UBS faces a sweeping new capital requirement from the Swiss government, which this week proposed changes that could...

Inside the viral world of Walmart’s high-paid cake artists

Walmart's cake decorators now earn the highest hourly store pay

NEW YORK CITY, New York: At a Walmart Supercenter in New Jersey, buttercream borders and edible-ink cartoons aren't just about sweet...

Africa

Section