At least 57 people have been injured following the explosion of a truck carrying dynamite recorded between the towns of Bogoso and Bawdie, in western Ghana, while the country’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo, has confirmed the “loss of life”. “I have just received information regarding the circumstances that led to an explosion (…) that caused the loss of life and the destruction of property belonging to residents”, the president has transferred on his social networks, although he has not expanded this information.
However, the regional head of the Ghana National Ambulance Service, Prosper Baah, has estimated that at least 57 people were injured as a result of the explosion, according to the Ghanaian television network 3News. “We have sent 57 wounded to Tarkwa Government Hospital, Bogoso health center and then to Wassa Akropong… We have deployed all our ambulances in the region. We currently have nine ambulances that have been dispatched to the site,” he said. transferred Baah.
Thus, President Akufo-Addo lamented the “sad, unfortunate and tragic” incident, while sending his condolences to the families of the victims, as well as a speedy recovery for the injured. “The Police, Armed Forces and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) are coordinating efforts to contain the situation, and I have also instructed NADMO to ensure that help is provided. quickly to the residents of the city”, added the president on his Twitter profile.
Previously, the Ghana Police has issued a statement on their social networks announcing the launch of a “complete emergency” operation in the face of the “large” explosion recorded at the site. “The population of surrounding areas has been warned to leave the surrounding towns for their safety, while the recovery operation is underway,” said the Police, who have asked the residents of the surrounding towns to open the schools and schools, among other facilities, to “accommodate” survivors.
According to preliminary information collected by the local newspaper ‘Daily Graphic’, the incident is feared to have left “dozens” dead. The explosion was caused by a vehicle transporting dynamite from Tarkwa to a mine located in Chirano, which was supposedly he has collided with a motorcycle, the Police have informed. The explosion has also caused extensive material damage, with several buildings collapsed and cars destroyed. Meanwhile, the road linking Tarkwa to Ayamfuri has been temporarily closed to traffic.