The building caved in moments before it was scheduled to open for business. A combined rescue team from the Ghana Police Service and the Fire Service have so far retrieved seventy-six survivors from the rubble.
It is unclear how many people were in the building at the time of the collapse but reports say the shopping centre has about 200 staff members on duty.
The rescued persons have been rushed to the Police Hospital in Accra.
The shopping centre, opposite the Neoplan Assembly Plant, is one of the busiest among the company’s chain. The 48 Engineering Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces have joined the rescue efforts. The Mayor of Accra, Alfred Oko Vanderpuye, is also at the scene.
Soon after news broke of the tragedy, President John Mahama tweeted: “My prayers are with the workers, shoppers and others who are trapped in the rubble of the collapsed Achimota Melcom building." Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the President, John Jinapor says all campaign activities have been suspended.
The president will make a detour by flight from the Northern Region to witness the disaster.
Source: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw
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