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The Ministry of Information has stated that plans are underway to convey victims who are critically injured to Accra for medical attention.
According to the ministry, all hospitals within the vicinity are currently being used as treatment centres for victims who have been rescued.
A Thursday, January 20, statement from the ministry read as follows: “an evacuation plan has been activated to move those in critical condition to medical facilities in Accra so they can get the needed assistance”.
A Clinical Coordinator of Apinto Government Hospital, Dr. Joseph Darko, in a Citi News interview noted that some of the injured persons have been evacuated to hospitals in Tarkwa since the nearest health centre where the incident happened can’t support the injuries coming in.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who is currently at Appiate with a government delegation says government will do everything to support families who are injured.
So far, the Information Ministry has confirmed that a total of 17 people have died while 59 injured persons have been rescued, bringing to 76 the number of persons known, so far, to have been affected by the tragedy.
Out of the 59 injured persons, 42 are receiving treatment with some in critical condition.
“Early reports indicate that several houses and structures in sections of the town have been destroyed and plans have been put in place to ensure that stranded community members are catered for in the coming days,” a statement from the Information Ministry stated.
Earlier today, Government received the tragic news of an explosion at Appiatse, along the Bogoso- Bawdie road in the Western Region, that led to the destruction of some parts of the town, and resulted in injuries and the death of some residents.
According to the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, “preliminary reports indicate that there was an accident involving a truck conveying explosive material for a mining company, a motorcycle, and a third vehicle close to an electricity transformer, leading to the explosion”.
He added that an evacuation plan has been activated to move those in critical condition to medical facilities in Accra so they can get the needed assistance.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has directed personnel from the Police Service, Fire Service, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ghana Health Service, National Ambulance Service and the Municipal Authority to provide support to mitigate the impact of the explosion and save lives.
To forestall a secondary explosion, a joint team of police and military explosion experts has been deployed to examine the situation and put in place the requisite measures.
Government has also expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
