Nov 07, 2012 at 4:21pm

President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the Rescue Team at the collapsed Melcom Shopping Center at Achimota to work 24 hours to ensure all trapped victims are rescued.

The head of the rescue mission told the President that a total of 50 people have been rescued from the debris. "Thirteen are at the 37 Military Hospital, four at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, 20 in Achimota District Hospital and one at the Police Hospital," the President was briefed at the scene of the accident earlier.

President Mahama said those whose negligence led to the tragedy "will pay a price.”

During the briefing, the President was notified that the structure was not completed.

The top floor did not have enough people, as majority of the people were at the lower floors of the building. The rescue team made up of the Military, Police and Fire Service officials - is concentrating on the lower floors.

The President called on the team to rig up some lights and appealed for work to continue on a 24-hour cycle.

It was also revealed that two entry points were being worked on by the rescue team. They indicated that people from inside the building could be heard though it was feared their shouts would go faint with the passage of time.

President Mahama in response said: “Maybe working at night is difficult but bring some lights and keep on trying because every minute means somebody’s life, so just keep trying and don’t stop. Let’s see if we can work in a 24-hour cycle.”

He urged them to work hard to find “more people and take them out and gradually, you can start taking the debris off and then let’s see what happens.”

Reports also indicate that the Isreali government is extending some assistance to Ghana.



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By: Citifmonline.com/Ghana