Two persons aged seven and fifteen years old have died in a premix fuel explosion that occurred at Ngyirasia, a community in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis in the Western Region.
The incident also resulted in the injury of about thirteen people, according to a report by Accra-based Starr FM.
The injured persons are currently receiving treatment at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital and Saint Benedict Hospital at Inchaban.
Four of the victims are in critical condition.
Narrating the circumstances leading to the explosion, the Assembly Member for Mempeasem–Ngyeresia Electoral Area, Gabriel Ato Mensah, told the media that at about 4 pm Saturday, May 18, 2024, some fishermen were transporting premix fuel in gallons to their canoes along the beach.
He explained that due to the unavailability of an access route from the main road to the beach, the fisherfolks often roll barrels of fuel on the ground to the beach, however, this time while transporting the fuel, they exploded.
It is suspected that the fuel might have caught fire from a nearby fish oven.
The victims included eleven males and five females including children.
The blaze also affected a Land Rover and an Opel Astra vehicle, both stationary and wooden structures around.
Firefighters from the Western Region Headquarters of the Ghana National Fire Service reported to the scene promptly and brought the fire under control.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Sekondi Takoradi, Abdul Mumin Issah, has since visited the victims.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com