The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), says the truck at the center of the Bogoso-Appiate fatal explosion had no escort despite carrying the highly explosive substance.
In an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show a day after the gory incident, the Deputy NADMO Director for Prestea Huni- Valley, Louis Afful, narrated the circumstances that led to the explosion.
He said there was indeed a motorbike riding in front of the truck that exploded.
“The truck hit the motorbike. The rider along the line lost control and fell together with some two others who were aboard the motorbike.”
He explained that the driver, in an attempt to avoid running over the three who fell ended up trampling on them.
“That is how the fire started, he added,”
He indicated that the driver who managed to escape immediately started beckoning those at the scene to run for their lives.
The onlookers however threw caution to the wind and ran towards the scene to take pictures and videos.
“The explosion happened in two phases, one under the ground and then the top, affecting residents in the process.”
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He also noted that the truck carrying the explosives, which was was destined for Chirano Gold Mines site had no escort as the safety protocols usually stipulate for such trucks.
“The vehicle was a 20 feet truck, not 40 feet. And whoever says the truck had an escort is a liar. I have an eyewitness who stood some metres away. He saw everything for himself.”
So far, 17 people have been confirmed dead, while 59 injured persons have been rescued in the deadly explosion as authorities mobilise rescue efforts.
The government in a statement from the Information Ministry, noted that out of the 59 injured persons, 42 are receiving treatment and some are in critical condition.
It thus outlined some measures taken so far by the government to handle the situation.
Preliminary investigations by the police said a vehicle transporting explosives to a mining site collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the explosion.
Meanwhile, Chirano Gold Mines has confirmed that the truck that was involved in the explosion was destined for its site.
The mining company said the truck belongs to mining services contractor, MAXAM.
To forestall a secondary explosion, government has deployed a joint team of police and military explosion experts to examine the situation and put in place the requisite measures.
The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry has set up a committee to look into the fatal explosion. The committee will among other things find out if the two mining companies followed due diligence before transporting the explosives.
A Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister in Charge of Mines, George Mereiku Duker, has <span;>warned that appropriate sanctions will be applied if it is established there was a breach in the regulations on how explosives are transported.
“We will also institute a committee to investigate the explosives, whether or not they comply with the Minerals and Mining Explosives Regulations LI 2177, Section 107 and 95.”
