Accra: A four-storey building collapsed at the Avenor Industrial Area in Accra in the early hours of Sunday, with two persons feared trapped beneath the rubble. Personnel from various emergency response agencies, including the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the Ghana Armed Forces, and the National Disaster Management Organisation, are at the scene working to clear the debris and rescue occupants believed to be trapped.
According to Ghana News Agency, preliminary reports indicate that two persons were earlier rescued, although officials are yet to confirm the exact number of casualties or injuries. Mr Alex King Nartey, Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, stated that rescuers have so far pulled two people alive from the collapsed structure and are making every effort to reach the others that are trapped. He mentioned that the Service received a distress call about the incident at about 0500 hours and arrived at the scene within five minutes.
Mr Nartey added that rescue teams were creating access routes through the wreckage to facilitate efforts to reach the remaining victims. He noted that a mosque and some shops located behind the building had also been affected by the collapse. Preliminary assessments suggested that the building lacked structural integrity, which may have contributed to the collapse.
The Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, along with the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Akweley Ocloo, and the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, have since visited the scene to assess the situation and interact with members of the rescue team. The Vice President commended the emergency responders for their swift action and dedication and urged the public to comply with building regulations and safety standards.
She emphasized the need for accountability among developers, contractors, and regulatory authorities, noting that strict adherence to building codes was essential to preventing such incidents and safeguarding lives and property. 'Let's do the right thing to save ourselves,' she said.