An unknown number of residents were killed with hundreds of buildings razed in an explosion in Ghana’s rural Western Region on Thursday.
The collision of a truck carrying explosives to a gold mine with a motorcycle caused the explosion around Apiate between the towns of Bogoso and Bawdie.
A regional emergency official told local media he had seen 10 dead bodies.
Seji Saji Amedonu, deputy director general of the National Disaster Management Organisation, said 500 buildings had been destroyed
“The public has been advised to move out of the area to nearby towns for their safety while recovery efforts are underway,” the police said in a statement.
Nearby towns have been asked to open up public spaces including classrooms and churches to survivors, the police said.
Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo tweeted he had been informed of the incident and confirmed there had been deaths.
“It is a truly … tragic incident, and I extend, on behalf of Government, deep condolences to the families of the deceased,” he said.
