2015 Accra floods
{{Audio|2015 Accra Flooding.ogg}}{{Short description|2015 disaster in Accra, Ghana}}
The 2015 Accra floods resulted from heavy continuous rainfall in Accra, the largest city in Ghana.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyguideghana.com/rains-wash-accra/ |title=Rains Wash Accra |publisher=Daily Guide |date=3 June 2015 |accessdate=4 June 2015 |author=Gomda, A.R. |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706201925/http://www.dailyguideghana.com/rains-wash-accra/ |archivedate=6 July 2015 }} The rain started on 1 June 2015. Other causes of this flood is as a result of the improper planning of settlement in Accra, choked gutters which block the drainage system and a few other human factors. The floods have resulted in heavy traffic on the roads in the city and also a halt in commercial activities as markets were flooded and workers trapped.{{cite web|url=http://gbcghana.com/1.4206905 |title=Accra flooded following continuous Rainfall |publisher=gbcghana.com |date=2 June 2015 |accessdate=4 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605001927/http://gbcghana.com/1.4206905 |archivedate=5 June 2015 }}{{cite web | url=http://citifmonline.com/2015/06/03/floods-submerge-accra-for-the-umpteenth-time/ | title=Floods submerge Accra for the umpteenth time | publisher=citifmonline.com | date=3 June 2015 | accessdate=4 June 2015}} Mayor of Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije described the flooding as critical.{{cite web | url=http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/44117-chaos-reigns-as-accra-is-submerged-by-heavy-rains.html| title=Chaos reigns as Accra is submerged by heavy rains | publisher=www.graphic.com.gh | date=3 June 2015 | accessdate=4 June 2015 | author=Baiocchi, Francisco}} At least 25 people have died from the flooding directly, while a petrol station explosion caused by the flooding killed at least 200 more people.{{Cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/over-200-killed-in-ghana-gas-station-explosion_1607811.html|title=Over 200 killed in Ghana gas station explosion|publisher=Zee News|accessdate=9 June 2015}}{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-33003673 | title = Ghana petrol station inferno kills about 150 in Accra | date = 5 June 2015 | accessdate = 5 June 2015 | publisher = BBC }}
Affected areas
= Kaneshie =
The Kaneshie market and its surroundings were submerged, preventing vehicles from moving.{{cite web | url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/regional/artikel.php?ID=360657 | title=Kaneshie floods as cars submerge | publisher=ghanaweb.com | date=3 June 2015 | accessdate=4 June 2015}}
= Graphic Road =
Graphic Road, home to some automobile companies and a hub for scrap dealers and other squatters,{{Cite web|date=2021-05-18|title=Accra: Taskforce clears unauthorized structures along Graphic Road|url=https://citinewsroom.com/2021/05/accra-taskforce-clears-unauthorized-structures-along-graphic-road/|access-date=2021-05-18|website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana|language=en-US}} was heavily flooded. The Toyota Ghana and Rana Motors showrooms were completely submerged.{{cite web | url=http://citifmonline.com/2015/06/04/accra-floods-hit-ghanas-automobile-industry/ | title=Accra floods hit Ghana’s automobile industry | publisher=citifmonline.com | date=4 June 2015 | accessdate=4 June 2015 | author=Kai Lokko, Vivian}}{{cite web | url=http://tv3network.com/all-news/markets/business/photo-the-impact-of-accra-s-floods-on-businesses-is-depicted-here.html | title=Photo: The impact of Accra's floods on businesses is depicted here | publisher=TV3 Ghana | date=4 June 2015 | accessdate=4 June 2015 | author=Afanyi Dadzie, Ebenezer | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604203117/http://tv3network.com/all-news/markets/business/photo-the-impact-of-accra-s-floods-on-businesses-is-depicted-here.html | archive-date=2015-06-04 | url-status=dead }}
= GOIL fire =
{{main|2015 Accra explosion}}
On June 3, 2015, a GOIL fuel station near Kwame Nkrumah Interchange burnt with people and vehicles in the vicinity.{{cite web | url=http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/44119-disaster-many-dead-in-fuel-station-fire.html | title=UPDATE: Disaster! Many dead in fuel station fire | publisher=www.graphic.com.gh | date=4 June 2015 | accessdate=4 June 2015 | author=Baiocchi, Francisco}} The fire also burnt a Forex Bureau and Pharmacy nearby.{{cite web|url=http://news.peacefmonline.com/pages/social/201506/243875.php |title=Accra Floods: Over 80 People Dead In Goil Filling Station Fire |publisher=peacefmonline.com |date=4 June 2015 |accessdate=4 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604222557/http://news.peacefmonline.com/pages/social/201506/243875.php |archivedate=4 June 2015 }} Over 200 people were feared dead and bodies have been moved to the 37 Military Hospital. The hospital later announced they are unable to hold more bodies.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyguideghana.com/accra-floods-more-than-100-feared-dead-after-explosion/ |title=Accra floods: More than 100 feared dead after explosion |publisher=Daily Guide |date=4 June 2015 |accessdate=4 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707115044/http://www.dailyguideghana.com/accra-floods-more-than-100-feared-dead-after-explosion/ |archivedate=7 July 2015 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/accra-floods-more-than-70-people-reported-dead-after-petrol-station-fire-in-ghanas-capital-city-10296123.html | title=Accra floods: More than 70 people reported dead after petrol station fire in Ghana's capital city | publisher=The Independent | date=4 June 2015 | accessdate=4 June 2015 | author=O'Connor, Roisin | archive-date=4 June 2015 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20150604163343/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/accra-floods-more-than-70-people-reported-dead-after-petrol-station-fire-in-ghanas-capital-city-10296123.html | url-status=dead }} The cause of the fire was yet to be determined. On 4 June 2015 the Mayor of Accra Alfred Vanderpuije, Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Nii Armah Ashitey and President John Mahama visited the scene.{{cite web | url=http://myjoyonline.com/news/2015/June-4th/floods-we-must-make-sure-this-doesnt-happen-again-mahama.php | title=Floods: We must make sure this doesn’t happen again - Mahama | publisher=myjoyonline.com | date=4 June 2015 | accessdate=4 June 2015 | author=Abass Daabu, Malik | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211805/http://myjoyonline.com/news/2015/June-4th/floods-we-must-make-sure-this-doesnt-happen-again-mahama.php | archive-date=3 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}
Response
{{flagicon|GHA}} — President Mahama declared 3 days' national mourning for the victims affected by the flood and explosion. The government also released GH₵ 60 million to support victims.{{cite web | url=http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2015/June-4th/floods-mahama-declares-3-days-of-mourning.php | title=Floods: Mahama declares 3 days of mourning | publisher=Myjoyonline.com | date=4 June 2015 | accessdate=4 June 2015 | author=Gadugah, Nathan | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235229/http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2015/June-4th/floods-mahama-declares-3-days-of-mourning.php | archive-date=3 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=http://gbcghana.com/1.4252722 | title=President Mahama Announces 3-days of National Mourning & 60 Million GH. Cedis to Support Flood Victims | publisher=gbcghana.com | date=4 June 2015 | accessdate=4 June 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606203950/http://gbcghana.com/1.4252722 | archive-date=2015-06-06 | url-status=dead }}