VIDEO | Big bang in Ghana: There are casualties and hundreds of buildings have been destroyed
Explosion in western Ghana Hundreds of buildings were razed to the ground when a truck carrying explosives in a gold mine collided with a motorcycle. There are casualties, but their number is unknown.
Saji Saji Amedonu, Deputy Director General of the National Disaster Management Organizationsaid 500 buildings had been destroyed.
Residents have been advised to leave the area for safety and move to nearby towns, police said in a statement.
Nearby cities have been asked to open public spaces, including classrooms and churches to house survivors.
The explosion occurred in Apiate, between the cities of Bogos and Baudi, when a motorcycle crashed under a truck transporting explosives owned by the company "Maxam" in Chirano gold mine, driven by Kinros of Toronto.
A Kinros spokesman confirmed the incident, saying it happened 140km from the mine.
The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Ado announced on Twitter that he was informed about the incident and confirmed that there were dead.
"It is a truly tragic incident and on behalf of the government I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims," he said.
I have just received a briefing on the circumstances that led to an explosion in Apiate near Bogoso, in the Western Region, resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction of properties belonging to residents. 1/4
- Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) January 20, 2022
It is a truly sad, unfortunate and tragic incident, and I extend, on behalf of the Government, deep condolences to the families of the deceased, and I wish the injured a speedy recovery. 2/4
- Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) January 20, 2022