Three people have lost their lives while 20 others were rescued after an uncompleted building collapsed near the Experimental D/A School in Accra Newtown on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
The incident occurred in the evening when the structure, reportedly being used as a place of worship, suddenly caved in with congregants inside, causing widespread panic in the community.
Emergency response teams, led by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), quickly moved to the scene after receiving a distress call at 5:01 p.m. Rescue teams from the Service’s National Headquarters arrived shortly after, at 5:17 p.m. and 5:19 p.m., to begin a coordinated search operation.
A total of 23 individuals—made up of 15 females and eight males, including three minors—were initially believed to have been trapped beneath the rubble.
Through sustained rescue efforts involving fire officers, other agencies, and civilians, 20 people were successfully pulled out alive and rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment.
Despite these efforts, three victims—two women and one man—were confirmed dead. Their bodies have since been handed over to the police for preservation and further investigations.
At an earlier stage of the operation, Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, ADO1 Alex King Nartey, explained that rescuers were depending on faint sounds from beneath the debris to locate survivors.
“Rescue mission is still ongoing. The voices are growing fainter because our officers are relying on people calling for help to trace where people are. For now, people are still down there. We are not sure of the number,” he said.
Personnel remain at the scene as efforts continue to clear debris and secure the area.
Authorities are expected to launch a full-scale investigation into the cause of the collapse, which has once again raised concerns over the use of uncompleted structures for public gatherings.
The GNFS commended its officers and partner agencies for their swift intervention, noting that their timely response helped prevent further loss of life.
“Our deepest condolences go to the bereaved families, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the Service stated.
