4 Killed In Fuel Tanker Explosion

A fuel tanker explosion on the Nsawam–Accra highway over the weekend has claimed about four lives and left several others in a very critical condition.

The four victims were burnt beyond recognition when the fuel tanker burst into flames following a horrific crash involving the tanker and a vehicle in the early hours of Saturday.

The injured persons are currently receiving treatment at the Nsawam Government Hospital and other medical facilities in Accra and Koforidua. Medical sources indicate that the death toll could rise, as some survivors remain in critical condition.

According to an eyewitness, the tanker, loaded with petrol from Tema and heading towards Kumasi, lost control near Ntoaso, a community close to Nsawam, and rammed into an oncoming vehicle. The impact triggered a thunderous explosion that sent flames shooting into the sky.

The raging fire quickly spread, engulfing more than six vehicles. A VVIP bus travelling behind the tanker was also caught in the blaze after fuel splashed onto it. All the vehicles involved were completely burnt.

Thick plumes of smoke rising from the accident scene attracted motorists and residents from surrounding communities, who quickly alerted the police and the Ghana National Fire Service.

Firefighters, police officers and ambulance personnel rushed to the scene upon receiving the distress call and battled for several hours to bring the raging fire under control and prevent it from spreading further.

However, the fire blaze made it impossible for the emergency responders to rescue the four victims trapped in the burning wreckage. The ambulances transported the injured to various hospitals, with the Nsawam Government Hospital receiving most casualties.

The tragic incident caused heavy traffic congestion along the busy Nsawam–Accra stretch, a major route linking the Eastern Region to the capital. However, police personnel managed the situation and restored the flow of traffic after the fire was extinguished.

Investigations into the actual cause of the crash are currently ongoing.