By Samira Larbie
Accra, June 30, GNA – The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has rescued more than 479 people from flood and fire emergencies across Accra, Tema and surrounding communities over the past three days.
Five people died in separate incidents during the period, while one person sustained injuries, 12 occupants escaped a building collapse unhurt and one person remains missing, according to the Service.
A statement issued by the GNFS said the rescue operations were conducted between Sunday, June 28, and Tuesday, June 30.
It said four people died during flood rescue operations in the Adabraka-Odawna corridor, where firefighters rescued more than 300 people from rising floodwaters by the early hours of Tuesday.
The statement said a joint operation involving the GNFS, the Ghana Police Service (Marine Police), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana Army rescued 105 people, including women and children, from flood-prone communities at Tse-Ado Last Stop on Monday.
In the Tema Region, firefighters responded to 23 emergency incidents, including fire outbreaks, floods and fallen trees.
They rescued 12 people trapped by floodwaters and assisted more than 50 others to safety.
The Service said one female trader remained missing after being swept away near the Tema Community One Market.
It said all 12 occupants of a four-storey building at Tabora No. 6 escaped safely before the structure collapsed.
On the fire front, one person died and another sustained injuries when a fuel tanker caught fire at Asutuare Junction.
The statement said firefighters also contained separate fires at Lartebiokorshie and Labadi Kojo Sardine, and extinguished a major blaze at the Odawna Rubber Market near Kwame Nkrumah Circle without any reported casualties.
The GNFS commended its firefighters and partner agencies for their dedication and professionalism, and said investigations into the various fire incidents were ongoing.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey