Avenor building collapse death toll rises to three, one still in critical condition  

Three people have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a building at Avenor in Accra, while one survivor is still receiving treatment, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed.

The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of structurally weak and dilapidated buildings across the country, with fresh calls for stricter enforcement of building regulations.

The Head of Public Relations at the GNFS, Divisional Officer Grade II (DO II) Desmond Ackah said on Monday that four victims were recovered from the rubble after the collapse on Sunday.

He explained that two of the victims were pulled out alive and rushed to the hospital, while the other two were confirmed dead at the scene. However, one of the survivors later died on Monday morning, leaving only one person still on admission.

“Out of the four people retrieved from the rubble, two were alive when we rescued them and two had already passed on. Unfortunately, one of the survivors died this morning, while the remaining victim is still undergoing treatment,” he said.

DO II Ackah noted that authorities had secured a court order to support the safe demolition of the remaining structure to prevent further danger to the public.

He added that investigations involving structural engineers and other experts would determine the exact cause of the collapse, cautioning against speculation.

“A lot of factors could contribute to structural collapse, including poor construction practices, the use of unqualified artisans, or issues relating to the load-bearing capacity of the soil. We do not want to pre-empt the outcome of investigations,” he said.

He further highlighted the role of coordinated efforts by the Ghana Police Service, the National Ambulance Service, National Security and other agencies in the rescue operation, commending their professionalism.

DO II Ackah also urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to intensify monitoring and take proactive steps to identify and deal with unsafe buildings before they collapse.

He appealed to the public to report any signs of structural weakness to the appropriate authorities to prevent avoidable tragedies.

“We should not wait until lives are lost. Once residents notice signs of imminent collapse, they must alert the appropriate authorities so that preventive measures can be taken,” he said.

The GNFS reiterated its commitment to public safety and urged property owners to comply with building standards and maintenance requirements to help prevent similar incidents.