This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7749876.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ghana fuel tanker in deadly blast Ghana fuel explosion kills many
(about 2 hours later)
At least 21 people have been killed in Ghana as a truck carrying fuel exploded near the town of Techiman. An overturned fuel tanker in the Ghanaian town of Techiman has exploded, killing at least 22 people.
The explosion happened when people were trying to scoop up fuel that had spilt around the broken down vehicle. The explosion happened as people tried to scoop up fuel that had spilt around the vehicle.
A local official said the dead bodies were burnt beyond recognition and at least 50 people have gone to hospital. The dead were burnt beyond recognition and at least 50 people are in hospital, a local official said.
The BBC's Will Ross says such incidents are frequent in West Africa where poverty tempts many to take free fuel at accident sites despite the risks. Such incidents are frequent in West Africa where poverty tempts many risk salvaging fuel from accident sites, a BBC correspondent reports.
Severe burnsSevere burns
Our reporter says the fuel truck had broken down near Techiman in Ghana's Brong-Ahafo region - more than 290km north-west of the capital, Accra. The fuel truck broke down near Techiman in Ghana's Brong-Ahafo region, more than 290km north-west of the capital, Accra.
Many people carrying small containers rushed to the vehicle hoping to scoop some free petrol, he says. I've only ever seen something like this in television pictures from Nigeria Prince Yaw DonyinaTechiman mayor
The truck then exploded engulfing the crowd. Many people carrying small containers rushed to the vehicle hoping to scoop some free petrol.
The truck then exploded, engulfing the crowd.
Those taken to hospital have severe burns all over their bodies, a local official said from the scene of the explosion.Those taken to hospital have severe burns all over their bodies, a local official said from the scene of the explosion.
One eyewitness said 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.One eyewitness said 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.
A similar incident happened in northern Cameroon in August and last year 98 people died as they tried to scoop up fuel from a broken down tanker in Nigeria's Kaduna State. He survived and was later flown by helicopter to the military hospital in Accra.
Staff at the Holy Family Hospital in Techiman told the BBC they felt overwhelmed but were coping with the number of casualties.
Some have been transferred by ambulance to other hospitals in the region and to a specialist burns unit in Ghana's second city, Kumasi.
Techiman Mayor Prince Yaw Donyina, a candidate in next week's parliamentary elections, suspended campaigning to rush to the accident site.
"I've only ever seen something like this in television pictures from Nigeria," he told the BBC.
A similar incident happened in northern Cameroon in August and last year 98 people died as they tried to scoop up fuel from a broken-down tanker in Nigeria's Kaduna State.