Many Ghanaians were left in a state of shock on Thursday after an explosion in Apeatse near Bogoso in the Western Region.
The explosion near Bogoso killed 13 people and severely injured 59 others. One of the victims was a 15-month-old baby.
According to police, the incident occurred as a result of a collision between a vehicle carrying mining explosives, a motorcycle, and another vehicle. Many residents have been displaced as a result of the blast, which levelled their homes.
Ama Adomaa, a resident, said she lost one of her six children in the horrific incident.
According to Adomaa, her 21-year-old son, Justice, went to the scene after hearing the explosion and returned to warn her.
She claimed that after fleeing to a nearby bush with her mother, her son returned to the scene to film the incident.
Justice, on the other hand, was killed when the explosives in the truck detonated.
“I was sleeping at 11 a.m. when my son, Justice, rushed in and said, ‘Mum, wake up, something serious has happened.’ I stood up right away. When I saw smoke, I assumed the fire would completely destroy our home. I took my mother with me and went into the bush.
My son had returned to the scene to film the explosion, unbeknownst to me. “My 21-year-old son is no longer alive,” she told JoyNews correspondent Ina Thalia Quansah.
Ama Adoma is one of those who have been uprooted. She stated that the family sought refuge in a nearby bush.
“The fire completely destroyed both our old and new unfinished residences.” So we slept in the bush all night until morning.”
She is one of many affected families who rely on government assistance to survive.
“We’d appreciate it if the authorities could assist us. We are in pain. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence,” she said.
Meanwhile, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has stated that plans are being made to build temporary housing facilities for all displaced residents of Bogoso-Appiatse.
He stated that the government has enlisted the assistance of the State Housing Corporation and mining companies in the area to provide an immediate safe haven for the stranded community members in the coming days.
In addition, the Vice President stated that those injured in the explosion will receive the best medical care possible during their treatment.
On Friday, he led a government delegation to assess the state of affairs in the community and delivered the good news.
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