Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Plans Mass Burial of 320 Unclaimed Corpse Due to Mortuary Congestion

The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana’s premier referral medical facility, has announced plans for a mass burial of unclaimed, unknown, and unidentified bodies currently being housed in its mortuary.

The move comes in response to severe congestion that is hindering effective operations at the facility’s morgue.

In an official statement, the hospital disclosed that its mortuary has exceeded capacity, making it difficult to manage the growing number of deceased individuals whose bodies have not been claimed by relatives or identified by the authorities.

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Management has issued an urgent appeal to the general public especially relatives, next of kin, or any interested persons to visit the hospital and identify the remains of their loved ones.

The deadline for such claims has been set for January 18, 2026, after which all unclaimed bodies will be included in the scheduled mass burial.

“This is part of a periodic exercise to decongest the facility and ensure proper hygiene and storage conditions at the morgue,” the hospital’s Public Affairs Directorate noted.

The mass burial exercise is a standard procedure undertaken when bodies remain unclaimed for extended periods, and all attempts to locate relatives prove unsuccessful.

The hospital is urging the public to cooperate by checking on missing relatives or deceased persons who may have been brought to the Korle Bu morgue, and to bring the necessary identification and documentation to facilitate the release process.

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This development raises ongoing concerns about public awareness, inadequate record-keeping, and the need for stronger national systems to trace and reunite unidentified bodies with their families.