ACCRA, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Two people have been confirmed dead, while several others remain trapped beneath the rubble after a three-story building collapsed on Sunday in North Kaneshie, a suburb of Accra, the Ghanaian capital.
Michael Kpakpo Allotey, mayor of Accra, who confirmed the accident to local media, said efforts were still underway to rescue people believed to be trapped under the debris.
According to eyewitnesses, the building, which housed both residential and commercial occupants, collapsed suddenly in the densely populated neighborhood.
Emergency responders, including personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service, are leading the search and rescue operation with support from other security agencies.
Fire officials said rescuers were still working to reach sections of the collapsed structure where more victims were suspected to be trapped, while heavy-duty equipment was being deployed to aid the operation.
Authorities have urged the public to stay away from the area to allow rescue teams to work efficiently as efforts continue to locate and rescue any remaining survivors. ■