Nine dead, 479 rescued after Accra floods as Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak apologises

Ghana's government has apologized to its citizens for the devastating floods that killed nine people in Accra, while emergency responders rescued 479 others during three days of torrential rain, fires, and other emergencies.

Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak expressed regret over the loss of lives and destruction caused by Monday's floods, stating that the government could have done more but had worked through the night to respond to the crisis.

The Asawase MP said the government was deeply sorry for the disaster that left homes and property destroyed across parts of the capital.

Mr. Muntaka defended the government's response, saying although authorities had been warned that June and July would bring heavy rainfall, the specific weather alert for Monday's downpour was only issued late on Sunday night.

The Ghana National Fire Service reported that its personnel rescued or safely evacuated 479 people between Sunday and Tuesday as they responded to widespread flooding, fires, and a building collapse across Accra, Tema, and nearby communities.

The Service said firefighters worked with other emergency agencies to respond to dozens of incidents during the three-day period, resulting in five deaths, one injury, and one person missing.

By Tuesday morning, rescue teams had completed extensive operations along the Adabraka Odawna corridor, one of the worst-affected areas, rescuing over 300 people from floodwaters but losing four lives in the process.

Firefighters also brought a major fire at the Odawna Rubber Market near Kwame Nkrumah Circle under control and evacuated dozens of people to safety, including 40 women, 20 men, and 45 children.