At least three people have been confirmed dead after an unfinished three-storey building being used as a church collapsed on worshippers in Ghana’s capital, Accra, on Sunday.

According to BBC News, the victims include two women and one man, while about 20 others, mostly women and children, were rescued and taken to various hospitals for treatment.

Ghana’s Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, said emergency teams worked through the night searching the rubble under floodlights. He added that there was a “90–95% certainty” that no more people were trapped beneath the debris, as reported by BBC News.

The structure, located in Accra’s New Town area, was reportedly part of a school and had remained incomplete for several years. Despite its condition, it was being used for church services, according to local residents cited by BBC News.

Authorities say the exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation, although the incident occurred after heavy rainfall. Eyewitnesses described the building as weak and poorly maintained, with some claiming the danger had long been known within the community, according to BBC News.

The minister confirmed that a total of 23 people were believed to have been inside the building at the time of the incident, noting that earlier figures were revised after verification with emergency services, as reported by BBC News.

Emergency responders have been commended for their swift action, which helped save lives during the overnight rescue operation. Debris clearance and final checks at the site are continuing.

The tragedy has once again raised concerns about the safety and structural integrity of some buildings in Ghana, particularly those left incomplete but still in use.