Using Drones for Post-incident Damage Assessment at Assigamé Market

By Togo Flying Labs

The Grand Market of Lomé, better known as Assigamé, was recently the scene of a major incident: a fire followed by the collapse of a building, accompanied by a leak of acid stored on the site. Faced with imminent danger to local residents, rapid and effective intervention was needed to secure the area and prevent a more serious disaster.

In this context, the National Civil Protection Agency (ANPC) requested technical support from Togo Flying Labs in the form of drone inspection flights. The objectives were to assess the extent of the material and environmental damage and, above all, to obtain an accurate overview in order to mark out the contaminated areas and protect the population. 

On April 16, 2025, Togo Flying Labs was mobilized in coordination with the Forensic Science Department and the Ministry of Security. Our drones flew over the disaster area to provide clear and up-to-date visual data. This information guided emergency response efforts, facilitated decision-making, and enabled rapid and safe assessment of areas at risk.

To carry out this mission, we used a DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone equipped with a 20-megapixel camera, which allowed us to capture high-resolution images of the disaster site. The objective was twofold: to visually document the damage and to produce an accurate 2D map of the affected area.

As the market area is located in a restricted airspace (No-Fly Zone), we operated in strict compliance with aviation safety rules, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

After collecting the data, our team carried out photogrammetric processing, resulting in the production of key deliverables: a georeferenced orthophoto, a digital terrain model (DTM), and a digital surface model (DSM). These results made it possible to accurately delineate the affected area, assess the extent of the damage, and better understand the impact of the disaster on the environment and the population. They were then shared with stakeholders to support risk analysis and guide site security measures.

Close coordination with civil protection, forensic science, and security forces teams was crucial. It enabled the rapid marking of contaminated areas, the identification of secure access points, and, above all, the avoidance of unnecessary exposure of field agents and local populations.

This integrated approach, combining technology, expertise, and inter-institutional collaboration, enhanced the effectiveness of the response while ensuring the safety of individuals.

Togo Flying Labs' intervention at the Grand Marché d'Assigamé illustrates how technology, used strategically and in a coordinated manner, can transform the response to a crisis. What we accomplished in a matter of hours — detailed mapping, identification of contaminated areas, and rapid provision of decision-making tools — would have been difficult to achieve with conventional means, especially in a high-risk context. This type of intervention reminds us that disaster preparedness requires the integration of innovative solutions into national civil security strategies. In the future, this mission will serve as a benchmark for the use of drones in post-incident assessments, laying the groundwork for a faster, safer, and more accurate approach to urban and environmental risk management in Togo.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the National Civil Protection Agency (ANPC), the Ministry of Security, and the Scientific Police for their trust and collaboration. Their responsiveness and professionalism were essential to the success of this mission. 

At Togo Flying Labs, we remain convinced that drones are set to become an indispensable tool in emergency response operations. What do you think? Should drones be systematically integrated into disaster response plans in our cities?