Akyem Batabi Church Pastor Arrested As Death Toll Of Collapsed Church Building Hits 11
The death toll from the Church Building Collapse incident at Akyem Batabi in the Asene Manso- Akroso District in the Eastern Region has risen to 11 at midday of Wednesday.
Over 18 victims have so far been retrieved by the rescue team since yesterday.
The collapse of the uncompleted three-storey church building occurred last Tuesday at about 2:30pm.
A joint rescue team made up of officials of the National Disaster Management Organization, NADMO, Ghana National Fire Service, Police, Ambulance Service, BNI, National Security, and Military.
The Eastern Regional Minister Eric Kwakye Darfuor rushed to the scene a few hours after it happened.
Thirteen (13 ) victims were extricated on the first day of the rescue mission out of which 6 -all females were dead, one (1) in critical condition while 6 victims namely Adu Godfred, 21, Erasmus Larnor, 25, Elizabeth Toot, 18, Bridget Birorey, 59, Jonas Larnor, 45, and Charity Addison, 38 have been treated and discharged by the Oda Government Hospital.
According to the local Police, the Founder of Church of Prosperity, Prophet Isaac Ofori is popularly known as Akoa Isaac, is assisting Police with the investigation.
“The founder Prophet Akoa Isaac has meanwhile told Police in his statement that he was sick and lying in his residence near the Church building when he heard the implosion.”
He said he was told that about 56 worshippers were in and around the building fasting and praying when the incident happened.