The death toll from the collapse of an uncompleted three-storey building at Accra New Town has risen to three, with authorities confirming the updated figure after cross-checking data from multiple emergency agencies.
Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak announced the revised toll on Monday, up from the initial two fatalities reported shortly after the incident on Sunday. The collapse occurred at a structure within the premises of the Accra New Town Experimental Basic School, which is also used by Christian worshippers.
Rescue operations intensified overnight, with emergency teams working under floodlights in a race against time to locate any survivors who may still be trapped beneath the rubble. Personnel from the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and the National Ambulance Service have all been deployed to the scene.
Providing details of the casualty figures, the Minister said authorities had taken deliberate steps to ensure accuracy before making the announcement. “So far, information that has been cross-checked, double-checked, visited all the hospitals, just to be sure that we don’t give any information that may be far away from the fact,” he said.
He acknowledged the challenges in determining how many people were present in the building at the time of the collapse but indicated that coordinated efforts by emergency services had helped establish a clearer picture. “As we all know, it is very difficult for you to go to how many people were in there, but at least with the cross-check from the police and National Ambulance Service,” he noted.
According to the Minister, a total of 23 people were involved in the incident. “What we can say is that there was a total of 23 people. Unfortunately, we’ve lost three – a male and two females. They’re not able to tell names for now,” he disclosed.
He added that the remaining victims are receiving treatment at various health facilities across the capital. “And thank God, 20 are alive in various hospitals – the Police Hospital, Mamobi and a private facility,” he said.
The Minister further revealed that women and minors constitute a significant proportion of those affected, although none of the deceased are minors. “Out of the 23, the total number of females amongst them is 15, with eight males. Out of this, we have seven minors, but those who have lost their lives, there’s no minor,” he stated.
He commended emergency responders for their sustained efforts throughout the night. “The Ambulance Service and their team have been here the whole night, and they’ve done a wonderful job. We are really grateful. Gratitude to the media and everybody that I’ve forgotten to mention,” he added.
The collapse followed a heavy rainstorm on Sunday, with early responders—including residents and bystanders—using basic tools and their bare hands to pull victims from the debris before official rescue teams arrived.
Although several people have been rescued, fears remain that others could still be trapped, particularly following reports that some victims were heard calling for help from beneath the rubble.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, and authorities say a full investigation will be launched once rescue operations are concluded.
