The victims consist of three adult males, two adult females, two girls under the age of five, and one boy under the age of five.

Sierra Leone President Julius Bio has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the collapse of a seven-storey building in Freetown, which has resulted in at least eight fatalities, including three children, and left several more individuals trapped under the debris.

The building, located in eastern Freetown and reportedly used for both residential and commercial purposes, fell on Monday, as confirmed by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) in a statement.

The deceased include three adult males, two adult females, two girls under the age of five, and one boy under the age of five.

President Bio, in a statement on the X social media platform, vowed to initiate a thorough inquiry into the disaster and committed to taking all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

The exact cause of the collapse remains unknown, but it is believed that many people resided in the building. A major rescue operation is currently underway, involving cranes, and the president has pledged full governmental support for the National Disaster Management Agency’s (NDMA) efforts.

"We will make every effort to rescue those trapped, wherever possible, and provide complete support to survivors," President Bio stated.

An AFP journalist reported that responders are using their hands, shovels, and pickaxes to search desperately for survivors.

Large crowds have gathered around the building's remains, with concrete slabs stacked high next to the corrugated metal roofs of nearby buildings.

The NDMA has expressed its commitment to continuing the rescue efforts in hopes of locating more victims trapped under the rubble. Additionally, the agency plans to conduct ongoing vulnerability assessments to help mitigate the risk of future building collapses across the country.