Bogoso Explosion: Police Reveal Cause of The Blast That Killed Many People At Appiatse

• The Ghana Police Service has released a statement on the Bogoso explosion which occurred on Thursday, January 20, 2022
• The statement indicates that the explosion was caused by mining explosives after the truck conveying them got involved in an accident with a motorcycle
• The police also appealed to other towns in the area to help in accommodating the survivors of the explosion

The Ghana Police Service has explained the circumstances leading to the huge explosion at Appiatse, a town near Bogoso in the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region.

In a statement released on Facebook moments after the explosion, the explosion was caused by mining explosives.

The statement indicated the explosives were triggered after a vehicle transporting them got involved in an accident.

Bogoso explosion

Reports surfaced on social and traditional media in the afternoon of Thursday, January 20, 2022, that Appiati had virtually been wiped out by an explosion.

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The first reports had suggested that a fuel tanker had exploded after colliding with a motorized tricycle, popularly known as 'aboboyaa.'

Police investigations

But according to the police statement, the preliminary investigations show the truck was carrying explosives for mining. The explosives were being transported from Tarkwa to Chirano.

"Meanwhile, preliminary investigation has established that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion," the statement said.

Appeal to other towns

The police statement revealed that most of the victims of the explosion had been rescued and sent to various hospitals for treatment.

It thus appealed to other towns in the area to open up their classrooms, churches, and other such facilities to accommodate some of the survivors.

"The public has been advised to move out of the area to nearby towns for their safety while recovery efforts are underway.

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An appeal is also being made to nearby towns to open up their classrooms, churches etc to accommodate surviving victims," the statement said.

Death toll from Bogoso explosion

Meanwhile, the death toll in the Bogoso explosion incident was 17 as of 5:00 pm on Thursday, January 20, 2022, the government has revealed.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Information sighted on Facebook, 59 other people had been injured in the explosion. 42 of the injured are in critical condition.

Source: YEN.com.gh