Tragic Building Collapse in Accra New Town: Two Confirmed Dead as Rescue Efforts Intensify for Trapped Worshipers

A tragic incident unfolded in Accra New Town as a multi-storey uncompleted building collapsed, claiming at least two lives and leaving several others trapped beneath the debris. The structure, located near the Accra New Town Experimental Basic School, was being used as a place of worship during a Sunday service when it suddenly gave way. Emergency response teams, including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana National Fire Service, and the Ghana Police Service, have been working tirelessly to navigate the wreckage. Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey has confirmed the two fatalities, while noting that 14 individuals have been successfully rescued and transported for medical attention.

The collapse triggered an immediate and frantic response from local residents and bystanders, who rushed to the scene to pull victims from the rubble using bare hands and basic tools before professional responders arrived. As the operation transitioned into the night, emergency services deployed floodlights and specialized excavation equipment to sustain the search. The urgency of the mission remains critical; eyewitnesses and rescue personnel report that the voices of those still trapped can be heard calling for help from beneath the heavy concrete slabs. Security has been tightened around the perimeter to manage the growing crowds of onlookers and distraught relatives waiting for news of their loved ones.

While the exact cause of the disaster is yet to be determined, the incident has reignited serious concerns regarding building safety standards and the common practice of using uncompleted structures for public gatherings. Authorities have indicated that a comprehensive investigation will be launched to assess the structural integrity of the building and verify its construction permits. For now, the focus remains entirely on the life-saving mission, with rescue teams committed to continuing their work through the night until every person believed to be inside the building is accounted for.