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Melcom shop collapse in Ghana: Voices heard in rubble | Melcom shop collapse in Ghana: Voices heard in rubble |
(35 minutes later) | |
Voices can still be heard in the rubble of a multi-storey shopping centre in Ghana's capital, Accra, 48 hours after it collapsed, rescue workers have said. | Voices can still be heard in the rubble of a multi-storey shopping centre in Ghana's capital, Accra, 48 hours after it collapsed, rescue workers have said. |
So far 78 people have been pulled out from beneath the debris of the Melcom store - nine of them dead and 69 alive. | So far 78 people have been pulled out from beneath the debris of the Melcom store - nine of them dead and 69 alive. |
Faulty construction has been blamed for the collapse of the building, which opened earlier this year. | Faulty construction has been blamed for the collapse of the building, which opened earlier this year. |
People in nearby buildings owned by the same company have been ordered to evacuate pending safety inspections. | |
President John Dramani Mahama said those responsible for the "negligence will pay a price". | President John Dramani Mahama said those responsible for the "negligence will pay a price". |
Banks emptied | Banks emptied |
The BBC's Akwasi Sarpong at the scene of the collapse says rescue efforts are now concentrating on one section where the voices can be heard. | The BBC's Akwasi Sarpong at the scene of the collapse says rescue efforts are now concentrating on one section where the voices can be heard. |
Two ambulances are still in front of the site and four stretchers are on top of the rubble where workers are cutting through the concrete and debris, he says. | Two ambulances are still in front of the site and four stretchers are on top of the rubble where workers are cutting through the concrete and debris, he says. |
Officials say they do not know how many people are still trapped beneath the collapsed structure. | Officials say they do not know how many people are still trapped beneath the collapsed structure. |
An Israeli rescue team has been using sniffer dogs to help locate people buried under the rubble. | An Israeli rescue team has been using sniffer dogs to help locate people buried under the rubble. |
Officials from Ghana's National Disaster Management Organization blamed poor foundations for the structure's weakness. | Officials from Ghana's National Disaster Management Organization blamed poor foundations for the structure's weakness. |
On Thursday, the Ghana Institution of Engineering said the building did not have a permit which meant the city authorities may not have inspected the building before it opened. | On Thursday, the Ghana Institution of Engineering said the building did not have a permit which meant the city authorities may not have inspected the building before it opened. |
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly has now ordered three nearby buildings which are also owned by Nana Boadu, the director of Kinsadus Company, to be evacuated. | The Accra Metropolitan Assembly has now ordered three nearby buildings which are also owned by Nana Boadu, the director of Kinsadus Company, to be evacuated. |
These include the branches of two banks. | These include the branches of two banks. |
The court order posted on the Standard Chartered Bank building says that no-one is allowed access to the building "until appropriate structural adjustments and building permits are regularly obtained from Accra Metropolitan Assembly". | The court order posted on the Standard Chartered Bank building says that no-one is allowed access to the building "until appropriate structural adjustments and building permits are regularly obtained from Accra Metropolitan Assembly". |
Our reporter says the employees of Fidelity Bank could be seen moving computers and furniture out of the branch on Friday morning. | Our reporter says the employees of Fidelity Bank could be seen moving computers and furniture out of the branch on Friday morning. |
According to the court order, the third building is occupied by Mr Boadu and his family. | According to the court order, the third building is occupied by Mr Boadu and his family. |
Our correspondent says the property developer is still wanted for questioning about Wednesday's collapse. | Our correspondent says the property developer is still wanted for questioning about Wednesday's collapse. |
But Mr Boadu told a local radio station on Friday morning that the Melcom store building did have a permit. | But Mr Boadu told a local radio station on Friday morning that the Melcom store building did have a permit. |
"There is no way I will put up a building and do a shoddy work," he told Ghana's Peace FM. | "There is no way I will put up a building and do a shoddy work," he told Ghana's Peace FM. |
"Every document needed to help in the investigations I will provide. I have a file full of documents and receipts showing the building permit fees," he said. | "Every document needed to help in the investigations I will provide. I have a file full of documents and receipts showing the building permit fees," he said. |
Our reporter says Accra mayor Alfred Vanderpuye arrived at the site of the collapse on Friday morning and is facing questions from reporters. | Our reporter says Accra mayor Alfred Vanderpuye arrived at the site of the collapse on Friday morning and is facing questions from reporters. |
The president has declared the site a disaster zone and suspended his campaign for next month's elections. | The president has declared the site a disaster zone and suspended his campaign for next month's elections. |