A laborer working on a building project near the Legon Mall in Accra, has died after falling from the 5th floor.
The deceased, a Sierra Leonean national, only known as Marvels, was working with a few other labourers when the scaffolding they were standing on collapsed in the course of the work.
Six other persons who sustained various degrees of injury from the incident were rushed to the Emergency Unit of the Legon Hospital for treatment.
Two of them have since been transferred from the Legon Hospital to seek further treatment.
When Citi News’ Caleb Kudah arrived at the scene, there were visible signs of a weakened beam and some columns of the structure.
The Deputy Fire Commander for the Greater Accra Region, Ebenezer Simpson, who spoke to Citi News said the managers of the project did not ensure adequate safety measures for the project
“Around 12:45pm, our fire station at Legon received a distress call that there was a collapse of some structures so they rushed in. We realized that on the 5th floor of the structure under construction, a beam which measures about 10 meters had collapsed with about 3 columns supporting it….7 people were injured, with one dead. 4 of them were on admission receiving treatment with various degrees of injury; and two others have been referred to another hospital,” he said.
He added that, “If they had taken adequate safety measures this wouldn’t have happened… The Police had cordoned off the place and the appropriate engineering corrections would have to be done to make sure that this thing does not occur again.”
Meanwhile, the project site has been cordoned off as security officials commence investigations.
The Police have cordoned off the scene with a tape while firemen are on the grounds gathering information.
