17 dead, 59 injured in Bogoso explosion
17 persons have been confirmed dead following an explosion at Bogoso-Apiate in the Western Region.
This was confirmed in a statement issued by the Ministry of Information.
59 persons who were rescued are reportedly injured. Some of whom are in critical condition and receiving treatment.
“As at 17:00 hours, a total of seventeen (17) people have, sadly, been confirmed dead, and 59 injured persons had been rescued, bringing to 76 the number of persons known, so far, to have been affected by the tragedy.”
In total, 76 known persons have been affected so far.
The Ministry further outlined measures taken so far by government in response to the situation.
“Most of the victims have been rescued and are on admission at various hospitals and clinics within the Bogoso Municipality. Upon the instructions of the President of the Republic, a National Emergency Response Mechanism was activated immediately. Personnel from the Police Service, Fire Service, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ghana Health Service, National Ambulance Service, the Municipal Authority, and residents have all been involved in providing support.”
“Additional personnel and resources have been dispatched to the community to support the response effort. An alternative route has been created to facilitate the movement of stranded vehicles plying that route. All hospitals within the vicinity are being used to treat injured persons, and an evacuation plan has been activated to move those in critical condition to medical facilities in Accra, so they can get the needed assistance,” the statement added.
To prevent a secondary explosion, government has deployed a joint team of police and military explosion experts to examine the site and put in place the requisite measures.
Early reports show that several houses and structures in the town have been destroyed, and plans are in place to bring relief to affected community members in the coming days.
“We would want to urge the public to remain calm and obtain regular updates from the national emergency response team. At 11:00am on Friday, the emergency response team will provide updates from the scene of the incident,” it added.
President Akufo-Addo is expected to soon visit Apiate.
Preliminary investigations by the police indicate that a vehicle transporting explosives to a mining site collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the explosion.
Meanwhile, Chirano Gold Mines has confirmed that the truck that was involved in the explosion was destined for its site.
According to the mining company, the truck belongs to mining services contractor MAXAM.
