The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed that at least 12 people have died, while nearly 500 others have been rescued after severe flooding swept through several communities in the Greater Accra Region following Monday’s heavy rains.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, June 30, GNFS Public Relations Team member Alex King Nartey said firefighters and emergency responders have been working tirelessly since the floods began on Sunday, carrying out rescue operations in some of the worst-affected areas.
According to Mr. Nartey, almost 500 people were rescued between Sunday and Monday.
He said about 105 residents were rescued from Tse Addo, while nearly 300 others were evacuated from the Odawna area.
Rescue teams also responded to emergencies in Dome, Kwabenya, Adenta, Anyaa and Ablekuma, where rising floodwaters trapped residents in their homes and communities.
“Unfortunately, we lost about 12 people. That’s the number that I can confirm,” Mr. Nartey stated.
Giving a breakdown of the confirmed deaths, he said two bodies, a mother and her child, were recovered from Alogboshie.
One person died at Achimota, two at Alajo, four at Odawna and two at Tema Newtown.
However, he warned that the death toll could increase as search and recovery efforts continue.
“I won’t be surprised if the number is more than what I’m mentioning. These are the figures I can verify from our team and our collaborating agencies. Now that I’m being informed of other situations, we’ll work with the excavator teams and the other agencies to establish the exact figure because death is not something to joke with. We don’t want to put out numbers that have not been verified,” he explained.
Addressing concerns about injuries, Mr. Nartey said, “There were no serious injuries. The few people who sustained minor injuries were treated and discharged”.
He added that search operations are still underway, with at least one elderly person reported missing at Tema Newtown as rescue teams continue their efforts.
