Search and rescue have been intensified in Apiate close to Bogoso in the Western Region where explosives on transit to a mine ignited on Thursday afternoon.
The huge explosion on January 20, 2022, razed down homes and in some instances blew off roofs. Eyewitnesses say the whole town shook after the blast.
Authorities have been able to retrieve the bodies of 17 victims from piles of rubble in the bizarre incident with 59 persons with varying degrees of burn injuries receiving treatment at the Apinto Government Hospital.
Clinical Coordinator of the hospital, Dr Joseph Darko, told Citi News five wounded persons taken in by his facility are responding to treatment.
“There were varying degrees of injury. Of course, some people were dead. Others are injured and some of them had to be evacuated. The closest facility where the incident happened is a health centre where the level of care couldn’t support the injuries that occurred, so some of the injured had to be evacuated to hospitals in Tarkwa.
“I think there is a private hospital in Bogoso where some of the injured people were sent to. We went in there and evacuated five people who needed to be evacuated to our facility, and they are all stable now,” he said.
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Preliminary investigations by the police said a vehicle transporting explosives to a mining site collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the explosion.
Owners of the mine that was transporting the explosives, Chirano Gold Mines has released a statement to extend condolences to families of victims affected by the accident.
The mining firm has also promised to send relief items to the area.