Three people dead in Avenor building collapse
Three people have died following the building collapse at Avenor in Accra, while one survivor remains on admission receiving treatment, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed.
The tragic incident has renewed concerns over the dangers posed by structurally compromised buildings and dilapidated ones across the country and prompted fresh calls for stricter enforcement of building safety regulations.
Divisional Officer Grade II (DO II) Desmond Ackah, the Head of Public Relations of the GNFS, told the Ghana News Agency on Monday that four victims were retrieved from the rubble after the structure collapsed on Sunday.
However, two of them were rescued alive and rushed to the hospital, while the other two were found dead at the scene.
“Out of the four people retrieved from the rubble, two were alive when we rescued them and two had already passed on. Unfortunately, one of the survivors died this morning, while the remaining victim is still undergoing treatment,” he stated.
He explained that so far, the authorities had obtained a court order to facilitate the safe removal of the dangerous structure and prevent potential harm to the public.
Speaking on the cause of the collapse, DO II Ackah indicated that investigations involving structural and engineering experts would determine the exact circumstances that led to the incident and cautioned against speculation.
“A lot of factors could contribute to structural collapse, including poor construction practices, the use of unqualified artisans, or issues relating to the load-bearing capacity of the soil. We do not want to pre-empt the outcome of investigations,” he said.
DO II Ackah underscored the importance of collaboration among emergency response agencies, including the Ghana Police Service, the National Ambulance Service, National Security and other stakeholders, whose coordinated efforts contributed to the rescue operation.
He commended all agencies and individuals involved in the exercise for their professionalism and dedication in responding to the emergency.
The fire officer also called on the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to proactively identify and take action against dilapidated and structurally compromised buildings before they pose a threat to lives and property.
He further appealed to residents to promptly report buildings showing signs of structural failure to the nearest assembly or fire station to enable authorities to take preventive measures.
“We should not wait until lives are lost. Once residents notice signs of imminent collapse, they must alert the appropriate authorities so that preventive measures can be taken,” he said.
The GNFS reiterated its commitment to public safety and urged property owners to comply with building regulations and maintenance requirements to help prevent similar incidents.
Source: GNA