Rescue workers are racing against time to find survivors after a four-storey building collapsed in Congo Town, West Freetown, earlier today.

According to a statement by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), one construction worker has been pulled from the rubble and rushed to the Emergency Hospital in critical condition.

Sierraloaded reports that fears are growing that more people may be trapped beneath the wreckage, as emergency services continue their search and rescue operation.

The cause of the collapse is under investigation, but initial reports suggest that poor construction practices may be to blame.

Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, expressed her condolences to the victims and called for urgent reforms to the city’s building permit system.

“My thoughts are with the victims of the building collapse in Congo Town this evening. We remain hopeful that all will be rescued. An effective building permit regime with regulations is urgently needed,” she stated.