Three people have been confirmed dead and twenty others rescued following the collapse of an old school building in Accra Newtown on Sunday, 29 March 2026.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, disclosed that the victims were part of a group gathered inside the structure, reportedly for a worship session, when the incident occurred. According to him, the deceased comprise one male and two females, although their identities have not yet been released.
Emergency response teams worked through the night to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble. Personnel from the National Ambulance Service, Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) coordinated efforts to account for all individuals involved.
Mr Mubarak stated that a total of 23 people were believed to have been inside the building at the time of the collapse. “We have cross-checked information from all relevant agencies to ensure accuracy. Unfortunately, three lives have been lost, but we are grateful that twenty others have been rescued and are receiving medical care,” he said.
The injured have been transported to several health facilities across Accra, including the Police Hospital, the 37 Military Hospital, the Maamobi Polyclinic, and a private hospital.
Eyewitnesses at the scene indicated that the building, described as old and possibly structurally compromised, gave way suddenly while occupants were inside. The exact cause of the collapse is yet to be determined, but authorities are expected to launch a full investigation into the incident.
Government officials, including the Minister of Education and local authorities, visited the site to assess the situation and support ongoing rescue operations.
The tragedy has raised renewed concerns about the safety of ageing structures and the enforcement of building regulations, particularly in densely populated urban communities.
Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution when using old or abandoned buildings and assured that measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
