The number of bodies retrieved from the rubble of a collapsed church building in the Eastern Region has risen to 15.

This is an addition of six more deaths from the initial nine reported on Wednesday morning at Akim Batabi near Oda where the six-storey building is located.

Eight survivors are also currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

The incident is reported to have happened when some members of the church had gathered at the premises to pray for their ailing pastor.

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.

Meanwhile, some five excavators were still on the site working around the clock to locate the other individuals trapped under the pile.

The church has been left shocked following the development which has claimed the lives of some of their family members and co-worshipers.

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