The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources through the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission is investigating circumstances leading to the accident involving the transportation of explosives at Apiate a community near Bogoso in the Western Region on Thursday, 20th January, 2022.
According to the Ministry, this is in line with the Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations, 2012 (L.I.2177).
The investigation will among others help government to determine whether the regulations covering transportation of explosives were complied with and also what led to the unfortunate tragedy.
The Ministry also said that Government is determined as indicated by the President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to assist a ” Return to a situation of normalcy for residents” as quickly as practicable.
Seventeen [17] people have died in an explosion at Apiate, along the Bogoso- Bawdie road in the Western Region.
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.
The explosion on Thursday afternoon caused destruction to some parts of the town, and resulted in fifty-nine (59) persons being injured and receiving treatment.
The Ministry of Information noted that 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.
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister of Information indicated 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.
He noted that 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.” The statement noted
According to the Ministry of Information, President Akufo-Addo will visit Appiatse to assess the effectiveness of the response effort.
