The scene after the incident
Two people have lost their lives following a premix fuel explosion at Ngyirasia, a fishing community in the Essikado-Ketan Constituency of the Western Region.
The two were among 16 people injured after the incident which occurred on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at about 4pm.
According to the Assembly Member for Ngyirasia-Mpasem, Gabriel Ato Mensah, the two deceased; Joseph Adom, 15 years, and Justice Dadzie, 7 years were receiving treatment at Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in Sekondi when they succumbed to their injuries.
“We recorded 16 victims with 11 being males and five females. We brought 13 of them to Effia-Nkwanta where treatment started, and we took the three to Saint Benedict Hospital at Inchaban. I personally took them to the hospital and later had to join the chief,” he said.
The incident also affected two stationed vehicles – a Range Rover which was burnt completely and an Opel Astra taxi cab.
Meanwhile, the Police at Essikado in the Western Region have begun investigations into the incident.
How Incident Occurred
Eyewitnesses account had it that some fishermen had gone to buy premix fuel for fishing at Ngyirasia and were conveying it to the beach when some of the content in the drum suddenly spilled on the ground.
They pointed out that the spilled product came into contact with fire set by some fishmongers nearby, which resulted in the explosion.
“The drum fell and the fuel started to leak. It unfortunately went to where fishmongers smoke fish in the community.
“The spilled fuel got into contact with the fishmongers’ fire and caught flames. Those who were closer, including some children got badly injured and were rushed to the health facilities for treatment,” the eyewitnesses disclosed.
According to sources, personnel from the regional headquarters of the Ghana National Fire Service in Sekondi reported to the scene on time and managed to bring the inferno under control.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive for Sekondi-Takoradi, Abdul Mumin Issah, has since visited the scene to ascertain the extent of damage and the injured at the hospitals.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi