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Ghana’s Information Ministry has confirmed the death of 17 persons in the explosion at Apiatse a community close to Bogoso in the Western Region of Ghana.
Also, the Ministry confirms 59 injured persons who are currently at the hospital battling for their lives.
“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.”
The Ministry in its statement indicated that NADMO is doing all it can to ensure that members of the community are well taken care of.
“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.”
The Information Ministry indicated that government in order to forestall any further explosion has deployed a joint team of Police and Military, and explosives experts to put in the needed measures to ensure that there is no further explosion.
Meanwhile, the Ministry indicated that the President will visit the community and the victims of the gory accident soon.
The statement wished them the best and also consoled families that have lost their members to the explosion.
Meanwhile, Chirano Gold Mines in a statement has confirmed that the vehicle that exploded was headed for their mining site.
However, the vehicle belongs to mining services contractor MAXAM.
Read Full Statement Below
INFORMATION MINISTRY OF GHANA STATEMENT ON APEATSE BLAST PUTS DEATH TOLL AT 17 as at Thursday, 1700hrs.
Earlier today, Government received the tragic news of an explosion at Appiatse, along the Bogoso- Bawdie road in the Western Region, that led to the destruction of some parts of the town, and resulted in injuries and the death of some residents.
Preliminary reports indicate that there was an accident involving a truck conveying explosive material for a mining company, a motorcycle, and a third vehicle close to an electricity transformer, leading to the explosion.
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.
To forestall a secondary explosion, a joint team of police and military explosion experts has been deployed to examine the situation and put in place the requisite measures.
As at 17:00 hours, a total of seventeen (17) people have, sadly, been confirmed dead, and fifty-nine (59) injured persons had been rescued, bringing to seventy-six (76) the number of persons known, so far, to have been affected by the tragedy.
Out of the fifty-nine (59) injured persons, forty-two (42) are receiving treatment and some in critical condition.
Early reports indicate that several houses and structures in sections of the town have been destroyed and plans have been put in place to ensure that stranded community members are catered for 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 tomorrow, the emergency response team will provide updates from the scene of the incident.
Government commends the Police Service, Fire Service, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ghana Health Service, National Ambulance Service, the Municipal Authority, health professionals in the medical facilities within the vicinity, and local residents for their assistance so far.
Government further expresses deep condolences to the families of the deceased and sends best wishes to the injured for their speedy recovery.
As relief and containment efforts continue, and the situation is brought under considerable control, President Akufo-Addo will visit Appiatse to assess the effectiveness of the response effort.
END.
Source: MyNewsGh.com/ 2022
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