The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has rescued or evacuated 479 people during an intensive three-day emergency response operation following heavy rains, flooding, fires and a building collapse that affected parts of Accra, Tema and surrounding communities.
According to the Service, the operations, carried out between June 28 and June 30 in collaboration with other emergency agencies, resulted in the rescue of hundreds of stranded residents, although five people lost their lives, one person was injured and another remains missing.
The GNFS said its personnel remained on heightened alert throughout the period, responding to multiple emergencies ranging from flood rescues and structural collapses to major fire outbreaks.
The largest rescue operation was conducted in the Adabraka-Odawna enclave, where firefighters evacuated more than 300 people trapped by floodwaters after Monday’s torrential rains. Despite the successful operation, four people—three men and one woman—lost their lives in the flooding.
At Tse-Ado Last Stop, a joint rescue team comprising personnel from the GNFS, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service Marine Unit and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) rescued 105 people, including women and children, who had been trapped by rising floodwaters.
In the Tema Region, firefighters responded to 23 separate emergency incidents within 24 hours, including flooding, fire outbreaks and fallen trees. Rescue teams evacuated more than 50 residents at Tema Newtown and saved another 12 people stranded by floodwaters.
The Service disclosed that a female trader swept away by floodwaters near the Tema Community One Market remains missing, with search efforts continuing.
Apart from the flood emergencies, firefighters also responded to the collapse of a four-storey building at Tabora No. 6 in Accra. Fortunately, all 12 occupants had evacuated before the structure gave way, preventing any casualties.
Earlier on Sunday, the Service contained a domestic fire at Lartebiokorshie that destroyed a room and its contents but prevented the flames from spreading to adjoining parts of the building. No injuries or fatalities were recorded.
Another commercial fire at Labadi Kojo Sardine was also brought under control, with preliminary investigations suggesting that an overcharged solar battery may have sparked the blaze, which partially damaged a metal container and its contents.
Firefighters also battled a fuel tanker fire at Asutuare Junction, deploying four fire tenders to bring the inferno under control. The incident claimed one life, left another person injured and completely destroyed the tanker. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
The Service further contained a major fire outbreak at the Odawna Rubber Market near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, preventing the flames from spreading to adjoining structures. No casualties were recorded, and a fire appliance has been stationed at the market as a precaution against any possible re-ignition.
Summarising the operations, the GNFS said four people died in flood-related incidents while one person died in the fuel tanker fire, bringing the total death toll over the three-day period to five. One person sustained injuries, all 12 occupants of the collapsed building survived, and one individual remains missing as emergency responders continue search operations in Tema.
The Service commended the collaboration between the various emergency agencies, saying the coordinated response helped save hundreds of lives during one of the busiest emergency periods experienced in recent months.
