Nine dead bodies have been recovered from the debris of a collapsed six-storey church building at Akim Batabi near Oda in the Eastern Region.

They include 60-year-old Afia Tameklo who was reportedly killed by a falling pillar as she tried to escape.

According to a police report, the bodies were retrieved from the scene at 9:40 pm when the rescue exercise was put on hold. 

The rescue team was made up of NADMO officials, Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), the police, soldiers from jungle warfare, fire personnel and local volunteers who had to wait for appropriate equipment from Accra to be used in the exercise. 

However, the exact number of persons still trapped under the debris is still unconfirmed.  

Eastern Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Darfuor visited the scene alongside the Chief Executives of Oda Municipal and Asene-Manso-Akroso District Assemblies.

The bodies have been deposited at the Oda Government Hospital mortuary.

When the Police visited victims at the same hospital, 30-year-old Clement Bentouah was the only victim on admission with a fractured right thigh. 

Meanwhile, nurses on duty have identified six other victims - Adu Godfred, 21; Erasmus Larnor, 25; Elizabeth Toot, 18; Bridget Binorey, 59; Jonas Larnor, 45, and Charity Addison, 38 - who have been treated and discharged.