Thursday, 28 March

Bawumia visits Appiatse explosion scene

General News
The Vice-President’s visit is to assess the extent of the disaster

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia on Friday, 21 January 2020, paid a visit to the scene of the explosion at Appiatse, a town between Bogoso and Bawdie in the Western Region.

Dr Bawumia’s visit is to assess the extent of the disaster.

Addressing a gathering during his visit, Dr Bawumia said: “We are here, on behalf of the president and the government, to see the extent of this very horrible disaster that has befallen us as a country".

“I have received briefings from the various agencies, the police, the fire service, NADMO.”

While at Appiatse, Dr Bawumia is expected to also visit the various hospitals where the victims of the disaster are receiving treatment. 

He was accompanied on his visit by the National Security Advisor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Minister for the Interior, Minister of Information and officials of the Mineral Commission.

Seventeen people have so far been confirmed dead in the huge explosion.

Fifty-nine others were also injured out of the 76 rescued so far.

A statement issued by Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, following the tragedy, said: “As of 17:00 hours, a total of seventeen (17) people have, sadly, been confirmed dead, and fifty-nine (59) injured persons had been rescued, bringing to seventy-six (76), the number of persons known, so far, to have been affected by the tragedy”.

“Out of the fifty-nine (59) injured persons, forty-two (42) are receiving treatment and some in critical condition.”

It added: “All hospitals within the vicinity are being used to treat injured persons, and an evacuation plan has been activated to move those in critical condition to medical facilities in Accra so they can get the needed assistance.”

The explosion occurred when a truck conveying explosives was involved in an accident with a motorcycle and a third vehicle close to an electronic transformer.

Apart from the deaths, the explosion destroyed several properties.

 

Source: classfmonline.com/Elikem Adiku