A dynamite explosion in the community of Aboso, located in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of Western Region, has claimed the lives of four people and left many others with serious injuries, authorities have confirmed.
According to the Akutuase Assembly member, speaking to 3news, the tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon when residents encountered a large snake that had been terrorizing the area for some time.
The Assembly Member for the Akutuase Electoral Area, Emmanuel Eshun, provided details of the sequence of events.
He said, the first person to spot the snake alerted a nearby shop owner and fired a warning shot in an attempt to scare the reptile away.
However, the situation escalated when the shop’s security personnel decided to take direct action and shot at the snake.
Tragically, the bullet struck a stock of explosive slabs being sold at a shop in the vicinity, triggering a massive explosion.
The Assembly Member confirmed that three people died instantly at the scene, including the shop owner identified as Kofi Fletcher. A fourth victim, who sustained severe injuries, later succumbed while being transported to a nearby health facility, bringing the death toll to four.
Several other individuals sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Authorities have not yet released an official list of all those affected.
Local authorities and the Ghana Police Service are expected to launch a full investigation into the incident, particularly focusing on the illegal sale of explosive materials within the community.
The presence of commercially sold dynamite slabs in a residential area has raised serious safety concerns among residents and officials alike.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
