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Ghana petrol station inferno salvage operation Ghana petrol station inferno salvage operation
(about 1 hour later)
A salvage operation after a fire at a petrol station in Ghana's capital that killed 150 people will continue until Sunday, the president has said.A salvage operation after a fire at a petrol station in Ghana's capital that killed 150 people will continue until Sunday, the president has said.
John Dramani Mahama said three days of national mourning would then begin for those who died in the inferno and the flooding that has also hit Accra.John Dramani Mahama said three days of national mourning would then begin for those who died in the inferno and the flooding that has also hit Accra.
It is believed flood waters carried fuel from a garage storage tank towards a nearby fire causing the explosion.It is believed flood waters carried fuel from a garage storage tank towards a nearby fire causing the explosion.
People stranded by flooding and rain had sought shelter at the garage.People stranded by flooding and rain had sought shelter at the garage.
The fire then spread to adjoining buildings on Wednesday night, but the flooding hampered rescue efforts, the BBC's Sammy Darko reports from Accra.The fire then spread to adjoining buildings on Wednesday night, but the flooding hampered rescue efforts, the BBC's Sammy Darko reports from Accra.
Africa news updatesAfrica news updates
President Mahama has described the incident as "catastrophic" and "unprecedented".President Mahama has described the incident as "catastrophic" and "unprecedented".
He has vowed to take tough measures to stop people building illegally in areas near the city's drainage system, which appears to have been a factor in the disaster.He has vowed to take tough measures to stop people building illegally in areas near the city's drainage system, which appears to have been a factor in the disaster.
"I think that the time has come for us to remove houses out of water and the public should understand that it is necessary to save everybody else," he said."I think that the time has come for us to remove houses out of water and the public should understand that it is necessary to save everybody else," he said.
Following an emergency meeting of cabinet and security chiefs on how to tackle flooding, the government says it will release £9m ($14m) to help flood victims.Following an emergency meeting of cabinet and security chiefs on how to tackle flooding, the government says it will release £9m ($14m) to help flood victims.
In total an estimated 175 people have died in the petrol station fire and flooding across the country. In total an estimated 200 people have died in the petrol station fire and flooding across the country, the interior ministry has said.
Our correspondent says Flagstaff House, the president's office, is already decorated in the mourning colours of black and red and the flags are flying at half-mast. Throughout Thursday night and into Friday morning the emergency services in Accra have been removing cars and other rubbish that have been washed into big gutters, our correspondent says.
Throughout Thursday night and into Friday morning the emergency services in Accra have been removing cars and other rubbish that have been washed into big gutters, he says.
All over the city people are trying to salvage their belongings from homes and businesses affected by the flooding, our reporter says.All over the city people are trying to salvage their belongings from homes and businesses affected by the flooding, our reporter says.
Electricity has been restored to some areas after electricity sub-stations were damaged in the flooding but some internet services are still down, he says.Electricity has been restored to some areas after electricity sub-stations were damaged in the flooding but some internet services are still down, he says.
A survivor of the petrol station inferno, bus conductor Yaw Aforve, said he was sleeping in his vehicle which was parked at the petrol station when the fire started.A survivor of the petrol station inferno, bus conductor Yaw Aforve, said he was sleeping in his vehicle which was parked at the petrol station when the fire started.
He said he jumped into the floodwaters and when he came up for air, the fire burnt his face.He said he jumped into the floodwaters and when he came up for air, the fire burnt his face.
"I was swept away by the water to the other side [of the road]," he added. "I saw so many people screaming and shouting.""I was swept away by the water to the other side [of the road]," he added. "I saw so many people screaming and shouting."
More rain is expected over the weekend, and there are fears of further flooding, our correspondent says.More rain is expected over the weekend, and there are fears of further flooding, our correspondent says.