A devastating incident occurred on Tuesday, July 4 in Amanfrom Assemblies, a suburb of Amanfrom in the Ga South Municipality, resulting in the loss of two lives. The incident involved the collapse of a single uncompleted storey building, which tragically claimed the lives of the building’s owner and another individual who passed away the following morning.
Around 1400hrs, the building collapsed, trapping five individuals underneath, including the owner of the building, her two employees from the Restoration Healthcare and Birth Centre, and two children, both aged five years. Eyewitnesses at the scene recounted that there was a momentary shaking of the earth, prompting passers-by to escape the area. Unfortunately, those seated beneath the building were unable to escape in time and became trapped.
Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, with three seriously injured individuals initially taken to the Kasoa Polyclinic for immediate medical attention. However, due to the severity of their injuries, they were subsequently transferred to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital for further treatment. The rescue efforts were hampered by the lack of access roads, posing a challenge for both the Municipal Fire Command and the ambulance service.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the collapsed building was situated in a waterlogged area. Municipal Fire Commander D03, Marcel Kwame Avedo, addressing the media, advised land developers to exercise caution and refrain from constructing structures indiscriminately in communities. He emphasized the importance of preserving areas designated for road construction to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by unsafe buildings and the need for adherence to proper construction standards. It highlights the importance of conducting thorough assessments of the environment before embarking on building projects, particularly in areas prone to hazards such as waterlogging. The authorities continue to investigate the incident, with a focus on preventing similar incidents in the future and ensuring the safety of communities.
