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 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Ghana fuel explosion kills many | Ghana fuel explosion kills many |
(29 minutes later) | |
An overturned fuel tanker in the Ghanaian town of Techiman has exploded, killing at least 22 people. | An overturned fuel tanker in the Ghanaian town of Techiman has exploded, killing at least 22 people. |
The explosion happened as people tried to scoop up fuel that had spilt around the vehicle. | The explosion happened as people tried to scoop up fuel that had spilt around the vehicle. |
The dead were burnt beyond recognition and at least 50 people are in hospital, a local official said. | The dead were burnt beyond recognition and at least 50 people are in hospital, a local official said. |
Such incidents are frequent in West Africa where poverty tempts many risk salvaging fuel from accident sites, a BBC correspondent reports. | Such incidents are frequent in West Africa where poverty tempts many risk salvaging fuel from accident sites, a BBC correspondent reports. |
Severe burns | Severe burns |
The fuel truck broke down near Techiman in Ghana's Brong-Ahafo region, more than 290km (180 miles) north-west of the capital, Accra. | |
I've only ever seen something like this in television pictures from Nigeria Prince Yaw DonyinaTechiman mayor | I've only ever seen something like this in television pictures from Nigeria Prince Yaw DonyinaTechiman mayor |
Many people carrying small containers rushed to the vehicle hoping to scoop some free petrol. | Many people carrying small containers rushed to the vehicle hoping to scoop some free petrol. |
The truck then exploded, engulfing the crowd. | 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. |
He survived and was later flown by helicopter to the military hospital in Accra. | He survived and was later flown by helicopter to the military hospital in Accra. |
Overturned trucks are a common sight on the road to Techiman | |
Staff at the Holy Family Hospital in Techiman told the BBC they felt overwhelmed but were coping with the number of casualties. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | 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. |