17 killed in Ghana’s gold mining explosion, destroys 500 buildings

At least 17 people died when a vehicle carrying explosives used in mining collided with a motorcycle and exploded in western Ghana. Around 59 more people were injured in the incident.

The government has confirmed the casualties. About 500 buildings were destroyed in the blast. It is feared that the death toll could rise further.

International media Al-Jazeera reported that several installations were also destroyed in the blast. This could increase the number of casualties.

As seen in the video spread through social media, many houses were felled and reduced to piles of wood, brick and twisted metal. 

Locals claimed that “explosives were being transported by truck to the mine area to extract gold”. At that time, the truck exploded, creating a horrible situation.

“It was initially confirmed that the explosion was caused by a motorcycle colliding with a vehicle carrying explosives for the gold mine,” Ghana’s police said in a statement. Police are urging locals to evacuate the area and move to the surrounding area for safety.

Seji Saji Amedonu, deputy director general of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), said 500 buildings had been destroyed. A regional emergency official told local media he had seen 10 dead bodies, reports Al-Jazeera.

It is learned that the explosion occurred in Apiate between the towns of Bogoso and Bawdie in Ghana’s Western Region when a motorcycle went under a truck carrying explosives that were on route to the Chirano gold mine, run by Canada-based Kinross.

A Kinross spokesperson confirmed the incident, saying it occurred 140 kilometers (87 miles) from the mine.

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said the blasts had claimed many lives. However, he did not give any details of the incident. In a tweet, he described the incident as “unfortunate” and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

Source: Al-Jazeera