Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, Ghana’s Interior Minister, has confirmed that the death toll from the collapse of a three-storey building at Accra New Town has risen to three, as emergency responders continue intensive rescue operations at the site.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday at an uncompleted structure located within the premises of the Accra New Town Experimental Basic School. The building, which was still under construction, was reportedly being used not only for development purposes but also as a place of worship by a Christian group. Its dual use has raised concerns about safety oversight and the risks associated with occupying unfinished buildings.
Initial reports earlier in the day had indicated that two people had lost their lives. However, after thorough verification processes involving multiple emergency agencies and visits to health facilities, officials have now confirmed that three individuals—a male and two females—have died as a result of the collapse. Their identities have not yet been released.
Rescue operations, which began shortly after the collapse, intensified into the night, with teams working tirelessly under floodlights to locate individuals trapped beneath the debris. Personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and the National Ambulance Service were all deployed to the scene, coordinating efforts in a high-pressure environment.
Speaking at the site, the Interior Minister emphasized the importance of accuracy in reporting casualties, noting that authorities took deliberate steps to cross-check all available data before making any public announcements. He explained that emergency teams had visited multiple hospitals and worked closely with security and medical personnel to ensure that the figures released reflect the true situation on the ground.
He also acknowledged the inherent difficulty in determining the exact number of people present in the building at the time it collapsed. However, through coordinated information sharing between the police and ambulance services, officials have been able to establish a clearer picture of those affected.
According to the Minister, a total of 23 individuals were involved in the incident. Of these, 20 survived and are currently receiving medical treatment at various health facilities, including the Police Hospital, Mamobi Polyclinic, and a private hospital. The injured are said to be in varying conditions, though specific details about the severity of their injuries have not yet been disclosed.
Further breakdown of the victims reveals that 15 of the 23 individuals were female, while eight were male. Notably, seven of those affected are minors, highlighting the vulnerability of those caught in the collapse. The Minister clarified, however, that none of the deceased were minors.
Throughout his address, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak commended the dedication and resilience of the emergency response teams, particularly the ambulance personnel who remained on-site overnight providing critical care and transportation for victims. He also expressed appreciation to the media and other stakeholders assisting in disseminating accurate information and supporting the response efforts.
Meanwhile, search and rescue operations remain ongoing, as authorities fear that additional victims may still be trapped beneath the rubble. Reports from the scene indicate that some individuals were heard calling for help in the immediate aftermath of the collapse, adding urgency to the continued efforts of rescue teams.
As of now, the exact cause of the building’s collapse remains unknown. Authorities are expected to launch a full investigation to determine the factors that led to the structural failure, including whether construction standards were adhered to and if the building was safe for use at the time of the incident.
