The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Coordinator in Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region, Francis Abeiku Yankah has described the town of Apiati, near Bogoso as a desolated place which is no longer habitable.
According to him, it would be very difficult for humans to inhabit the location due to the devastation.
“I was returning from Prestea when I heard an explosion on my way. I started moving towards the scene after a journalist had called me on phone informing me about what had happened.
“Upon reaching the area, I saw a complete devastation of the community called Apeati, as we speak the community is dead, it cannot be inhabited by anyone.
“Ten lifeless bodies were lying down as a result of the explosion. The MCE who was also informed about the news quickly dispatched excavators to the scene to rescue trapped bodies after some buildings collapsed,” he told TV3.
An explosion which occurred after a mining vehicle collided with a tricycle in the town in the early hours of Thursday left scores dead and several others injured.
The Police and other rescue agencies have visited the location and making several efforts to rescue persons trapped under the debris.
The Police further appealed to nearby towns to open up their homes to accommodate persons who were displaced as a result of the devastation.
“Reference to our earlier emergency public notice, the Police have taken charge of the situation providing security to enable the emergency workers including the Ghana National Fire Service, NADMO and the Ambulance Service to manage the situation.
“The public has been advised to move out of the area to nearby towns for their safety while recovery efforts are underway. An appeal is also being made to nearby towns to open up their classrooms, churches etc to accommodate surviving victims.
“Meanwhile, preliminary investigation has established that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion. Most of the victims have been rescued and are on admission at various hospitals and clinics within the Bogoso Municipality.
“Reinforcement of resources and personnel have been deployed to effectively handle the incident. We continue to urge the public to remain calm as we manage the situation. Further updates regarding the emergency evacuation of the injured will be communicated in due course,” a statement said.
