Cape Coast Mudslide Kills Toddler, Injures Three After Heavy Rains
Heavy rainfall triggered a hillside collapse in Tantri, Cape Coast, killing a 20-month-old child, injuring three others and causing extensive damage to homes.
- A 20-month-old child died after a mudslide struck homes in Tantri.
- Three women were injured and rescued from the rubble.
- The incident followed hours of heavy rainfall and flooding in Cape Coast.
A 20-month-old child has died and three women sustained injuries after a rain-induced mudslide destroyed parts of three homes at Tantri in Cape Coast.
The incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. after hours of heavy rainfall caused a section of a nearby hillside to collapse, sending mud and debris crashing onto residential buildings below.
The victims — Elizabeth Kyerede, 43, Maame Badua, 25, Ella, 17, and Hanson Mensah, aged 20 months — were trapped beneath the rubble and rescued by residents.
They were rushed to the Ewim Polyclinic for treatment, but Hanson was pronounced dead on arrival. Ella, who suffered a severe head injury, was later transferred to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital for further treatment.
According to family head Richard Joachim, the victims had gathered in one room during the downpour when the hillside suddenly gave way. Relatives in nearby rooms responded after hearing a loud crash and discovered parts of the building buried under mud.
Residents quickly launched a rescue operation and transported the victims to the hospital.
Mr Joachim said three buildings were affected by the mudslide, although the two other structures were unoccupied at the time.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service later arrived to assist with emergency response efforts, while the Cape Coast Metropolitan Chief Executive, George Justice Arthur, visited the bereaved family to express his condolences.
The tragedy occurred amid widespread flooding across Cape Coast following a prolonged downpour that inundated roads, homes, shops and public institutions.
Several communities experienced severe flooding, displacing residents, disrupting transportation and causing traffic congestion. Parts of the University of Cape Coast campus, including the Casford area, were among the hardest-hit locations.
Residents blamed recurring flooding on choked drains, poor drainage infrastructure and indiscriminate waste disposal, calling for urgent measures to address the city’s flood challenges as the rainy season continues.
