Ghana: Petrol tanker kills 25

  1. Posted on Wednesday 26 November 2008 - 15:26
    Dolphyne
    Image of Dolphyne
    Joseph Appiah-Dolphyne, AfricaNews editor in Accra, Ghana Photo: Accra Daily Mail
    Twenty-five people are burnt to death at Techiman in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana after a fallen petrol tanker with registration number, GR 5145 Y, caught fire when they attempted to collect petrol from it. Many people carrying small containers rushed to the vehicle hoping to scoop some free petrol.
    fire in Ghana_ADM
    Several others have sustained severe burns and other injuries and have been rushed to the Techiman Holy Family Hospital for care.

    Some have been transferred by ambulance to other hospitals in the region and to a specialist burns unit in Ghana's second city, Kumasi.

    A soldier had stepped out of his car and was trying to disperse the people but he too was then caught up in the explosion.

    He survived and was later flown by helicopter to the military hospital in Accra
    The accident occurred around 8am after the tanker failed negotiating a curve and the intense fire burnt the deceased victims beyond identification.

    For most of the victims, it has not been possible to readily tell whether they were male or female, and neither was it clear what purposes they intended to put the scooped petrol.

    A similar incident occurred in the area about six months ago which claimed five lives.

    Fire personnel have managed to put down the fire, while the police have also arrived to help avert any further deterioration of the situation.

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