Accra floods: Death toll rises to nine as rescuers search for more victims

The death toll from the floods that paralysed large parts of Ghana's capital has risen to at least nine, as emergency crews continue searching submerged communities amid fears more victims could be found.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) said rescue operations were still under way across the Greater Accra Region after hours of torrential rain turned roads into rivers, trapped residents inside homes and vehicles, and brought much of the capital to a standstill.

"We have confirmed about nine deaths," Ghana National Fire Service spokesman Alex King Nartey told JoyNews, adding that the figure was based only on cases verified by officers deployed to affected communities.

He warned that reports of additional fatalities were still being investigated.

"I'm hearing there are other deaths in other places. As of now, these are the confirmed cases from my men on the ground," he said.

The latest toll comes as rescue teams race against time to reach residents stranded by floodwaters that overwhelmed drainage systems and inundated homes, businesses and major transport routes.

Firefighters, police officers and personnel from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) have been carrying out search-and-rescue operations, evacuating vulnerable residents and assisting motorists whose vehicles became trapped in fast-rising floodwaters.

Large sections of Accra remained severely affected on Tuesday, with some of the worst flooding reported in Alajo, Circle, Kaneshie, Odaw, Adabraka, Achimota, Weija, Madina, Adenta, Lapaz and parts of Spintex.

At the busy Circle transport terminal, dramatic scenes unfolded as commercial drivers and passengers climbed onto the roofs of stranded buses after floodwaters engulfed the station, waiting for water levels to recede.

The disruption extended beyond transport. The University of Ghana suspended lectures, while the Ghana School of Law postponed examinations because of dangerous travel conditions.

Monday's floods are among the deadliest to hit Accra in recent years, once again exposing the capital's vulnerability to heavy seasonal rains, inadequate drainage infrastructure and rapid urban expansion.

The disaster has renewed calls for tougher enforcement against building on waterways, greater investment in drainage systems and stronger flood prevention measures as climate-related extreme weather events become more frequent.

Authorities have urged residents to stay away from flooded roads and waterways, follow official safety advice and report emergencies immediately as recovery efforts continue.

Emergency agencies say their priority remains locating missing persons, assisting displaced families and assessing the full scale of the destruction, while warning that the death toll could rise as more flood-hit communities become accessible.