Rescue operations are ongoing at Accra Newtown following the collapse of a three-storey uncompleted building on the premises of the Accra Newtown Experimental Basic School on Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred earlier on Sunday, March 29, 2026, while Christian worshippers were using the structure for a church service. Several people were trapped beneath the rubble after the building suddenly gave way.
According to eyewitnesses, residents and bystanders were the first to rush to the scene. They used their bare hands and basic tools to clear debris in a desperate bid to rescue those trapped before emergency services arrived.
Some trapped victims could be heard shouting from under the debris, drawing the attention of rescuers. Others gathered at the site, watching anxiously as the rescue unfolded.
As of the latest update, 16 persons have been successfully rescued, while two people have been confirmed dead. Authorities are yet to establish the exact number of people who were inside the building at the time of the collapse or the full extent of injuries.
The Ghana Police Service, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), National Security and the Ghana National Fire Service have since taken over the rescue operations. They have also secured the area to prevent further risks to responders and bystanders.
The exact cause of the collapse is not yet known, though the building was reportedly uncompleted and had been used by worshippers on Sundays. Some reports indicate the incident happened following heavy rainfall in the area.
Rescue efforts are continuing into the night as teams work to locate and extract any remaining victims.