Municipal official detained over Ghana building collapse

09 November 2012 - 15:16 By Sapa-dpa
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Image: Gallo Images/Thinkstock

A Ghanian municipal works director has been detained over the collapse of a department store in Accra that caused the death of at least nine people, local media reported on Friday.

Ghanaian authorities late on Thursday detained Carl Henry Clark over allegations that the department store had been constructed without a permit.

The owner of the building, its engineer and architect were being pursued by the Bureau of National Investigation, the Citifm Online website reported.

The managing director of the Melcom department store and the Accra Metropolitan Area Works Director were both questioned and granted bail.

President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday said that a long-term inspection process was needed to ensure that high-rise buildings in the capital are architecturally sound.

At least nine people died as a result of Wednesday's accident. A further 79 people have so far been rescued, with rescue operations still ongoing Friday.

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