The number of persons who sustained severe injuries in the premix fuel explosion at Ngyirasia, a community in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly of the Western Region has risen to sixteen (16).
Three (3) of the victims are currently at the Saint Benedict Hospital at Inchaban, whilst thirteen (13), including children, are at the Effiankwanta Regional Hospital receiving treatment.
The incident which occured at about 4PM on Saturday, May 18, 2024, also affected two stationed vehicles, a Range Rover which has been burnt completely and an Opel Astra taxi.
Eyewitnesses tell the host of Connect FM’s Omanbapa Morning Show, Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson that the fishermen in the community had gone to buy premix fuel for fishing and were conveying it to the beach when some of the content in a drum suddenly spilled on the ground.
They further indicate the spilled content came into contact with fire by some fishmongers nearby resulting in the explosion.
“The drum fell and the fuel started to spill. It unfortunately went to where fishmongers smoke fish in the community. The spilled fuel got into contact with the fishmongers’ fire and caught flames. Those who were closer, including children got badly injured and were rushed to the Effiankwanta Regional Hospital for treatment. In all, one adult and three children were affected,” an eyewitness, Kwesi narrated.
Fire personnel from the Western Region Headquarters of the Ghana National Fire Service reported to the scene on time and brought the fire under control.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Sekondi-Takoradi, Abdul Mumin Issah, has since visited the scene and the injured to ascertain the extent of damage.
Meanwhile, Police have begun investigations to unravel the real cause of the explosion.
Story: Eric Nana Gyetuah/Connect FM
