The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has outlined the scale of its emergency response operations after rescuing 479 people during three days of floods, fires and other emergencies across Greater Accra, Tema and surrounding communities.
The operations, conducted between Sunday, June 28, and Tuesday, June 30, saw firefighters and rescue teams respond to dozens of incidents ranging from domestic and commercial fires to flood rescues, a fuel tanker fire and a building collapse. The Service worked alongside the Ghana Police Service, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Armed Forces and other emergency responders.
Despite the extensive rescue efforts, the period recorded five fatalities—four linked to flooding and one resulting from a fire incident. One person sustained injuries, while another remains missing after being swept away by floodwaters in Tema.
Flood rescues dominate emergency operations
The heaviest demand on emergency responders came on Monday, June 29, after torrential rains triggered widespread flooding across parts of Greater Accra and Tema.
At Tse-Ado Last Stop in Accra, a coordinated rescue operation involving the GNFS, the Ghana Police Service Marine Unit, NADMO and the Ghana Armed Forces rescued 105 people trapped by rising floodwaters. Those rescued included 40 women, 20 men and 45 children, all of whom were safely evacuated.
In the Tema Region, firefighters responded to 23 separate emergencies within 24 hours. These included six fire outbreaks, eight flood-related incidents and seven cases involving fallen trees.
Rescue teams also saved 12 people trapped in floodwaters and assisted more than 50 residents to safety at Tema Newtown.
However, the Service confirmed that a female trader remains missing after she was swept away by floodwaters near the Tema Community One Market. Search efforts are continuing.
Fires contained across multiple locations
Before the flooding, firefighters had already responded to several fire incidents on Sunday.
The first occurred at Lartebiokorshie, where personnel from the Industrial Area Fire Station extinguished a domestic fire that destroyed one room and its contents. Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to an adjoining room and hall, limiting the damage.
Later the same day, crews from the Trade Fair Fire Station contained a commercial fire involving a metal container at Labadi Kojo Sardine. Preliminary investigations indicate that an overcharged solar panel battery may have triggered the blaze.
Firefighters also battled a fuel tanker fire at Asutuare Junction using four fire tenders. Although they successfully brought the inferno under control, the tanker and its contents were destroyed. One person died, and another sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
Building collapse and overall emergency response
The GNFS also responded to a building collapse during the three days. According to the Service, all 12 occupants of the structure survived without loss of life.
Providing an overall assessment of the operations, the Fire Service said the coordinated response enabled emergency teams to rescue or safely evacuate 479 people despite the challenging conditions created by severe weather and multiple simultaneous incidents.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with partner agencies during emergencies and urged the public to observe safety precautions during heavy rains, avoid floodwaters and promptly report fires and other emergencies to help minimise loss of life and property.
By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang
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