Ghana: Accra gas explosions Oct. 7 leave at least seven dead, 132 injured /update 2

Event

A pair of gas explosions in Accra on Saturday, October 7, have left at least seven people dead and injured at least 132 others, according to a statement released by Ghana's Information Ministry on Sunday. In addition to the at least 68 people reported hospitalized, 64 others have been treated and discharged as of October 8.

The first explosion occurred around 19:30 (local time) on Saturday at a state-owned Ghana Oil Company (GOIL) liquified natural gas (LNG) filling station near Atomic Junction in Legon, a northern suburb of Accra; the fire then spread to the Total petrol station across the road, causing a second explosion. The fires were later contained by firefighters, and multiple ambulances were also brought to the scene. Though some 200 police officers responded to the blasts and cordoned off the area late Saturday, local traffic restrictions have reportedly been lifted as of Sunday. Early local reports suggest that a tanker delivering natural gas caught fire and caused the initial explosion, though the exact cause of the explosion is still under official investigation.

Context

On Sunday, Ghanian Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia cited eight such gas explosions to have taken place in Ghana over the past three years alone. Most notably, a June 2015 gas explosion in Accra killed over 150 people. Additionally, a May 2017 gas explosion in Takoradi (Western Region) killed at least six firefighters and injured some 80 others, according to the state-owned Ghana News Agency.

Advice

Though temporary road closures have been lifted, individuals in Accra are advised of possible lingering localized traffic disruptions.