The death toll from the Church building Collapse incident at Akyem Batabi in the Asene Manso- Akroso District of the Eastern Region has risen from 11 to 16 out of over 20 people retrieved.
As of 1:00pm Wednesday the number of persons retrieved dead stood at 11 but has increased within five hours now.
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 mission.
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 Addision, 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 happened.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
