[ 2015-07-26 ]

One more dead in Cantonments building collapse
One more person has been confirmed dead in
Saturday’s building collapse at Cantonments in
Accra.

This brings to two, the number of deaths so far in
Saturday’s disaster which occurred near the
National Film Institute (NAFTI).

One man who died instantly when the three-storey
building collapsed has been confirmed as owner of
the structure.

Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management
Organisation (NADMO), Brigadier General Francis
Vib Sanziri told Joy News’ Beatrice Adu 19
people have been rescued.

He said efforts were underway to retrieve the body
of the second victim.

The rescue team, led by the military, comprises
the police, NADMO officials, fire service and
urban search and rescue officers.

Vib Sanziri said 12 of the 19 people rescued have
been treated and discharged.

“Seven are still on admission; three in Police
Hospital, four at the [37] Military Hospital,”
he explained.

He said, “currently what we are trying to do is
to excavate the rubble to get to the base of the
building…we cannot be certain whether there are
more bodies further down or not.”

The Acting NADMO boss promised an investigation to
establish the circumstances under which the
building collapsed.

One survivor, Samuel Nartey, told Joy News he was
in the building mixing mortar when suddenly
everything came tumbling down.

Some survivors complained even though they noticed
one of the pillars had shifted, the owner of the
structure ordered them to ignore it and work.

They claimed safety procedures were not followed
and that concrete cast was not allowed adequate
time to dry before more floors were added.

Source - MyjoyOnline

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