Ghana: Three Confirmed Dead, 12 Injured After Fuel Tanker Explosion On Accra–Nsawam Highway

Three people have been confirmed dead, while 12 others sustained varying degrees of injuries after a fuel tanker carrying about 54,000 litres of petrol caught fire and burned five other vehicles and four motorcycles at Ntoaso near Nsawam on the Accra–Kumasi Highway on Saturday morning.

The injured persons, including the tanker driver, were rushed to the Nsawam Government Hospital for treatment.

Sources indicate that eight (8) of them suffered severe burns and have been referred to the Koforidua Government Hospital for intensive care.

Four of the victims were treated and discharged including one against medical advice.

The three fatalities—two males and one female—were burnt beyond recognition and have been handed over to the Police for investigation and preservation.

According to a report filed by journalist Daniel Bampoe, the fuel tanker which was from and heading towards Kumasi developed a mechanical fault and stopped along the highway.

However, instead of keeping away from the danger, some residents, motorcyclists, and drivers rushed to the tanker to siphon petrol.

Shockingly, some allegedly used chisels and other metal tools to hit and pierce the tanker, forcing fuel to leak out so they could collect it.

As petrol poured onto the road, the entire area became highly explosive.

Within moments, the leaked fuel ignited, leading to a violent explosion and a massive fire outbreak.

People who were fetching fuel were caught in the flames, along with motorcycles, a taxi, and other vehicles that had moved closer to the tanker to siphon fuel.

Among the most heartbreaking scenes was a woman carrying a baby who was badly burned while trying to collect fuel.

In the chaos, someone grabbed the baby and ran to save the child’s life.

Two people inside a taxi that had approached the tanker were burned to death, and several others sustained serious burn injuries.

The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Boadi Bossman, confirmed that the tanker had broken down and that unauthorized fuel siphoning worsened the situation.

Preliminary findings by the Eastern Regional branch of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) suggested that the fire was ignited by sparks from illegal fuel-siphoning attempts.

The Service said it had commenced investigations into the incident.

The GNFS strongly warned the public against fuel siphoning and urged individuals to stay away from accident scenes involving flammable substances and to promptly alert emergency services.