There is a glimmer of hope for victims of the collapsed Church building disaster at Akyem Batabi in the Eastern Region as rescue Operations enter the third day.
According to the rescue operators, almost all victims retrieved a day after the incident dead feared that many are dying hence racing against the clock to locate the victims to save lives.
As of 1:00pm Wednesday the number of persons retrieved dead stood at 11 but has increased to 16 by close of day.
The collapse of the uncompleted three-storey church building occurred Tuesday at about 2:30pm.
A joint rescue team made up of officials of the National Disaster Management Organization, NADMO, Ghana National Fire Service, Police, Ambulance Service, BNI, National Security and Military are still on grounds continuing with the rescue Operation.
The Eastern Regional Minister Eric Kwakye Darfuor rushed to the scene a few hours after it happened.
The challenge now is the inability to establish the exact number of persons strapped under the rubbles
Thirteen (13 ) victims were extricated on the first day of the rescue mission out of which 6 -all females were dead, one (1) in critical condition while 6 victims namely Adu Godfred, 21, Erasmus Larnor, 25, Elizabeth Toot, 18, Bridget Birorey, 59, Jonas Larnor, 45, and Charity Addison, 38 have been treated and discharged by the Oda Government Hospital.
According to the local Police, the Founder of Church of Prosperity, Prophet Isaac Ofori is popularly known as Akoa Isaac, is assisting Police with the investigation.
The founder of the Church Prophet Akoa Isaac has meanwhile told Police that, he was sick and lying in his residence on t near the Church building when he heard the implosion of the collapsed building.
He said he was told that about 56 worshippers were in and around the building fasting and praying when the incident occured.
The construction of the collapsed the uncompleted Church building started in 1994 hence experts say its structural integrity was compromised.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
