Avenor building collapse: 2 rescued, 1 critical as firefighters search for 2 others believed trapped
ACCRA, Ghana
Two people have been rescued after a building collapsed in Accra’s Industrial Area at Avenor during rainfall on the morning of Sunday, June 7, 2026, at about 4:20 am. One of the victims is in critical condition, while firefighters suspect two more persons remain trapped under the rubble.
The incident occurred opposite the Ashfoam Showroom and adjacent to Melcom Plus, one of the busiest commercial stretches in the Industrial Area. Rescue operations by the Ghana National Fire Service continued into Saturday morning.
Officials confirmed that two people were pulled from the rubble alive on Friday night. One of the victims is receiving treatment for critical injuries, while the condition of the second has not been disclosed by authorities.
The Ghana National Fire Service said rescue teams worked for several hours into the night to reach those trapped. The exact number of people believed to have been in the building at the time of the collapse is yet to be confirmed as the assessment continues.
The Avenor collapse is the second reported building failure in Accra during rainfall in recent weeks, raising fresh concerns about construction standards, enforcement, and drainage in the capital.
The earlier incident sparked public debate about the integrity of structures in flood-prone areas and the need for stricter monitoring by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Ministry of Works and Housing. Urban planners have repeatedly warned that weak foundations, substandard materials, and poor drainage increase the risk of collapse during Accra’s heavy May-July downpours
The collapse site sits directly opposite Ashfoam Showroom and next to Melcom Plus, two major retail landmarks in the Industrial Area. The location is a key transit point for vehicles and pedestrians moving between Circle, Kaneshie, and the Industrial Area.
Traders and residents gathered at the scene on Friday night as firefighters cleared debris. Some eyewitnesses told reporters they heard a loud crash before the structure gave way during the downpour.
The National Disaster Management Organization, NADMO, and the Ghana Police Service joined the response to secure the area and support victims’ families.
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Ministry of Works and Housing had not released an official statement on the cause of the collapse at press time. Investigations are expected to examine the building’s approval status, structural integrity, and the impact of the rainfall.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency had forecast heavy rainfall across Greater Accra on Friday evening, prompting renewed safety advisories for residents to avoid weak structures and flooded zones.
Officials say updates on the victims’ condition and findings from the investigation will be communicated as more information becomes available.
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