A devastating mudslide triggered by hours of heavy rainfall has claimed the life of a 20-month-old boy and left three women seriously injured at Tantri, a suburb of Cape Coast.
The tragic incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, after more than seven hours of continuous rainfall. The mudslide swept down a hillside and crashed into three structures below, causing one of the buildings to collapse on four occupants who had taken shelter inside.
The victims were identified as 43-year-old Elizabeth Kyeredeh, 25-year-old Maame Badua, 17-year-old BECE graduate Ella, and 20-month-old Hanson Mensah. All four were rescued and rushed to the Ewim Polyclinic for treatment, but Hanson was pronounced dead on arrival.
Ella suffered a deep head injury and was later referred to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital for specialised care due to the severity of her condition.
Speaking to Newsmen ,family head Richard Joachim described the incident as unprecedented, noting that residents had never experienced a mudslide in the area before.
According to him, the four victims had gathered in a single room for safety while the rain intensified. Other family members were in different rooms when they suddenly heard a loud crash and rushed outside, only to discover that part of the building had collapsed.
Mr. Joachim said personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service and officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) quickly responded to the scene to assist rescue efforts. He also revealed that the Mayor of Cape Coast, George Justice Arthur, had visited the family to express his condolences.
While stopping short of making a direct appeal, Mr. Joachim said the family would be grateful for any support from city authorities and well-wishers as they cope with the tragedy.
The deceased child’s grandmother, popularly known as Aunty Rose, spoke emotionally about the pain the disaster has brought upon the family. She noted that her daughter and granddaughter remain hospitalised following the incident.
Sabastina Anthony, sister of Elizabeth Kyeredeh, also recounted the extent of her sister’s injuries and the hardship facing the family after losing their belongings in the collapse.
The incident adds to growing concerns about the impact of heavy rains and landslides on vulnerable communities, particularly those living near hillsides and flood-prone areas.
