Thirteen-year-old first-year Junior High School pupil Doris Tawiah died on Tuesday afternoon when an old building collapsed on her at Assin Amoakrom in the Assin North District, Central Region.
Two others sustained injuries and are being treated at St Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu.
Assin Fosu Municipal Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Jacob Kumedzro, confirmed the incident.
He said the girl’s body has been deposited at the mortuary and police are working with NADMO to determine if similar structures in the community should be demolished to prevent further incidents.
Briefing the Ghana News Agency about the incident, Mr Emmanuel Oteng Perkoh, the Assemblyman for Assin Endwa-Amoakrom Electoral Area, said the deceased was sent by her mother to collect money from a neighbour.
However, on her way, she stopped to chat with two friends behind the dilapidated building, which collapsed, killing her instantly and injuring the others.
According to the Assemblyman, the National Disaster Management Organisation had previously warned occupants about the building’s visible cracks and structural weaknesses and advised them to vacate it for demolition.
These warnings were ignored, leading to the tragedy.
He said all three victims were initially taken to a local health centre before being referred to St. Francis Xavier Hospital, but Doris had already succumbed to her injuries.
GNA
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