Avenor Building collapse: 1,000s left without power
Building collapse triggers power outage
Thousands of residents in parts of Accra were left without electricity following the collapse of a building at Avenor in the North Industrial Area, an incident that has also claimed one life and left several others injured. The collapse caused significant disruption in the area, prompting emergency response efforts and safety measures by utility authorities.
Casualties and rescue efforts
According to officials, one person was confirmed dead after the structure gave way. Rescue teams were able to pull three survivors from the rubble, offering a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.
One of the injured victims is currently receiving medical treatment at the Ridge Hospital, while authorities continue to monitor the condition of those affected.
ECG explains cause of power disruption
Operations Officer for the Accra West Region of the ECG, Abraham Bigonu, explained that the building collapse directly impacted electricity infrastructure in the area. Speaking to the media, Mr. Bigonu stated that a transformer serving the community had to be switched off as a safety precaution because the collapsed structure was located dangerously close to it. “Because of the incident that happened, they are temporarily off, and soon we are going to carry out some transfers,” he said.
About 1,000 residents affected
The shutdown of the transformer resulted in a temporary power outage affecting approximately 1,000 residents and businesses in the surrounding communities. Mr. Bigonu noted that engineers are preparing alternative supply arrangements to restore electricity while ensuring public safety.
“The surrounding area has been affected by the temporary power outage, which has impacted about one thousand people,” he explained.
Concerns over building proximity to utility infrastructure
The ECG official expressed concern about the location of the collapsed structure, stressing that it had been constructed too close to a transformer installation.
According to him, the transformer station existed long before the building was erected, and the company had previously raised concerns about the proximity of the structure to the electrical facility. “When you are putting up a building, it should not be too close to the roadside or to any utility installation such as a transformer,” Mr. Bigonu stated.
He added that maintaining safe distances between buildings and critical infrastructure is essential to prevent accidents and protect lives and property.
Restoration and safety checks underway
Authorities have assured residents that efforts are underway to restore power to affected areas as quickly as possible. Technical teams are carrying out transfers and inspections to ensure the network can operate safely before electricity is fully restored. Meanwhile, investigations into the cause of the collapse are expected to continue as officials seek to determine whether building regulations and safety requirements were breached. The incident has renewed concerns about compliance with construction standards in Accra and the need for stricter enforcement of regulations governing developments near public utility installations.
