The Ghana Police Service has given detailed account of how the explosion at Appiatse near Bogoso in the Western Region, occurred.
According to a Police situational report, the accident involved a DAF vehicle with registration number WR 2252-18 transporting explosives from the MAXAM Company, Tarkwa, to Chirano Gold Mines and a motorcycle.
The Police stated that the rider of the motorcycle from the opposite direction, rode under the vehicle at around 1:25pm on Thursday.
According to the Police, due to the impact of the crash, the motorcycle caught fire and ignited the explosives on the DAF van. The DAF vehicle, thus burst into flames.
“D/Cpl Isaac Kamanim of Firearms Unit/Tarkwa was escorting explosives from MAXAM Company, Tarkwa, in a DAF van with registration no. WR 2252-18 driven by Alfred Pappoe to Chirano Gold Mines in the WNR.”
“At a section of the road between Bogoso and Bawdie, a motorcycle rider from the opposite direction ran under the van carrying the explosives. The driver sustained deep cut on the head and was rushed to Government Hospital, Tarkwa. The Police escort escaped unhurt,” the report indicated.
A number of victims are feared dead including the motorcycle rider while nearby buildings were razed down.
The Police indicated that a portion of the road was damaged, some vehicles plying that road were also damaged, passengers and inhabitants sustained varying degrees of injury.
“Extensive damage was caused to a nearby ECG transformer,” they added.
The Police said Crime Scene Intelligence and CID Operations teams led by Deputy Regional Commander DCOP Adusah-Poku assisted by Regional Crime Officer C/SUPT Ebenezer Boryor and Supt. Saviour Ahiamadi have been deployed to the scene of the incident .
They added that updates will be provided as soon as more information is gathered.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has described the incident as sad and unfortunate.
In a post on his social media handles, the President extended his condolences to victims of the tragic incident while wishing the injured speedy recovery.
“I have just received a briefing on the circumstances that led to an explosion in Appiatse near Bogoso, in the Western Region, resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction of properties belonging to residents.”
“It is a truly sad, unfortunate and tragic incident…The Police, Armed Forces and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) are coordinating efforts to contain the situation, and I have also instructed NADMO to see to it that rapid relief is brought to residents of the town,” President Akufo-Addo wrote.
Source: myjoyonline.com