A cargo truck hauling construction equipment and liquified gas cylinders meant for Bole hospital exploded last Sunday leaving a trail of death and destruction in Tinga a mining community in the Bole district of the northern region.
According to authorities, the explosion killed 6 people and left several others severely injured. The accident also destroyed market stalls and houses, officials added. The dead included three female teenagers and three adult males. Four of the victims according to the police, are natives of Tinga. The driver and the mate died on the spot and their bodies are at Bole hospital mortuary, authorities said.
However, 48 hours after the explosion, authorities are yet to establish the exact cause of accident. Police preliminary investigation, however, indicated that the gas cylinders did not explode. Chemicals on the truck are widely believed to have been the culprit.
The Bole District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police(ASP), David Agbatse Azumah who conducted Mr Abdallah Abubakari, the chairman of regional security council who also doubles as the regional minister around the scene of the disaster, said the container containing the chemical exploded when the truck reached the market square. The ensuing explosion caused debris to travel as far as about 500 meters and hit houses while some fell on traders and a passer-by and killing a ten-year old boy.
Mr Agbatze told the media that both police and the National Fire Service are still investigating to ascertain the cause of the explosion. “Technical people such as fire service need to brought in because the cylinders after the accident are still intact, ASP Azumah explained.”
Victim accounts
Some of the victims who narrated their horror experience said they found themselves at the Bole hospital with no clue as to what actually happened.
Mr Manu Daniel whose uncle’s son died in the accident told Zaa News that he was on his way to buy bread when he was hit by objects from the explosion. “I fell on the grand and before I realized I was in the hospital,” he said.
Mr Owusu whose wife and child were also victims of the explosion told Zaa News that they were discharged but he needs to seek further medical treatment at Wenchi government hospital in the Brong Ahafo region.
Most of the victims from Darivayiri and Gblusigi communities had either cuts on the head or broken arms.
Government consoles and supports bereaved families
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Abdallah Abubakari, who led some members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and District Security Councils (DISEC) to express sympathy with the bereaved families at separate places, presented various sums of money to the families on behalf the president, John Dramani Magama.
Mr Abubakari consoled the families for the loss of their love ones. He was not happy that some of victims were not able get medical reports that would have enabled them to proceed for further treatment and urged managers at the Bole government hospital to bear in mind that it was an accident and victims must be supported without any delay.
“Nobody ever prepares for an accident and but when it happens victims need to be supported before any other issues,” Mr Abubakari stressed.
