A devastating incident has unfolded in the community of Adeiso, located in the Upper West Akim District Assembly of the Eastern Region, as a school building collapsed on a group of students and teachers during a rainstorm.
According to a report by Accra-based UTV, the tragic incident occurred on February 14, 2024, when the dilapidated structure gave way, trapping over 50 basic students and several teachers beneath the rubble. Out of the students affected, 10 were injured, with four of them sustaining serious injuries.
The four severely injured students are currently undergoing treatment at a health facility in Adeiso, receiving urgent medical attention for their injuries.
The collapse of the school building has shed light on the longstanding neglect of the structure by authorities, despite numerous reports highlighting its precarious condition. UTV reporter Ebenezer Ayeh emphasized that the building had been in a state of disrepair for an extended period, yet no meaningful action had been taken to address the issue.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the collapse occurred during a sports program at the school, as students and teachers sought shelter from the rain within the unsafe building. The heavy rains and strong winds accompanying the storm proved to be too much for the weakened structure, leading to its sudden collapse.
The tragic incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, with community members demanding swift action to address the negligence that contributed to the disaster. Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of other school buildings in the area, prompting urgent inspections and assessments to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Local authorities have pledged to launch a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse, vowing to hold accountable those responsible for the oversight and neglect that led to the loss of life and injury. Efforts are underway to provide support and assistance to the affected students and their families, as the community grapples with the aftermath of this heartbreaking event.