Over 30 people have been confirmed dead in the incident which has wiped out over 70% of people living in that area which is about 50 aches.
Authorities of the Ghana Police Service has given the public a blow by blow account of how the explosion at Appiatse near Bogoso in the Western Region, occurred.Police situational report states that the accident which supposedly claimed over hundred lives and left scores injured involved a DAF vehicle with registration number WR 2252-18 which was transporting explosives from the MAXAM Company, Tarkwa, to Chirano Gold Mines and a motorcycle.
The Police stated that the rider of the motorcycle from the opposite direction rode under the vehicle after losing control at around 1:25 pm on Thursday. The motorcycle caught fire due to the impact of the crash causing the explosives to ignite; thus bursting the DAF vehicle into flames. “D/Cpl Isaac Kamanim of Firearms Unit/Tarkwa was escorting explosives from MAXAM Company, Tarkwa, in a DAF van with registration no. WR 2252-18 driven by Alfred Pappoe to Chirano Gold Mines in the WNR.”
“At a section of the road between Bogoso and Bawdie, a motorcycle rider from the opposite direction ran under the van carrying the explosives. The driver sustained deep cut on the head and was rushed to Government Hospital, Tarkwa. The Police escort escaped unhurt,” the report indicated.
A number of victims lost their lives including the motorcycle rider while nearby buildings were razed down with properties destroyed. The Police indicated that a portion of the road was damaged, some vehicles plying that road were also damaged, passengers and inhabitants sustained varying degrees of injury.
