SAD | A lifeless body of a man trapped under the rubble. Photo sent in by a reader.
A combined team of security personnel are still at the scene of the collapsed Melcom building, Achimota in a desperate attempt to rescue some trapped workers under the rubbles.
The six-storey ultra-modern facility collapsed minutes before it was to commenced daily operations.
The incident has drawn thousands of curious onlookers who are desperate to catch a glimpse of the once glamorous edifice which was commissioned barely a year ago.
JOYNEWS’ Eric Curtis-Howard reported that 22 persons have been pulled out alive, with three confirmed dead.
According to a survivor, the trapped workers were having their morning devotion when the incident occured.
The survivor who sustained minor injuries visibly appeared traumatised and told Myjoyonline.com he noticed a crack in one of the main pillars of the structure three days ago and reported the incident to his superiors who took little action.
The collapsed Melcom build
According to him, he detected another crack in another pillar Wednesday morning and reported the action, minutes later the structure collapsed not after he has being sent out to hang a promo banner.
A strong rescue team, made up of Ghana Fire Service, Armed Forces,Police Service, Ambulance Service and National Sanitation Task Force are making frantic efforts to rescue the trapped workers.
Some workers who were rescued from the rubbles were rushed to the hospital in attempts to resucitate them. Although the number of workers trapped are not immediately known, some believe the number is around 50.
A high powered government delegation has been to the scene to get first hand information on the tragedy. First, Mayor of Accra, Alfred Oko Vanderpuye was at the venue. He was followed by Vice President Amissah-Arthur who expressed concerns at the attitude of onlookers who he said were were hampering rescue operations.
The Interior Minister, W. K. Aboah, Trade Minister, Hanna Tetteh, Ade Coker among others.
A delegation from the opposition New Patriotic Party led by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was also at the scene to assess the situation first hand.
Several onlookers have expressed disgust at the apparent shoddy work executed by the contractor of the building.
Source: Myjoyonline