APPIATSE EXPLOSION: John Mahama calls for prayers for the injured

Former President John Dramani Mahama has asked Ghanaians to join in prayers for a speedy recovery of the 59 persons injured as a result of the explosion at Appiatse near Bogosu in the Western Region.

Seventeen people are confirmed dead, 59 with various degrees of injuries with some in very critical condition, while the community has been reduced to rubbles.

Government and the Police say the explosion occurred when a motorcycle rode into a van carrying explosives to the Chirano Gold Mines at Appiatse resulting in a deadly explosion.

Former President Mahama expressed his condolence to the families of the dead and called for prayers for the speedy recovery of those who are injured. He also encouraged the “security and emergency services to continue to work assiduously to alleviate the damage and suffering in the affected communities.”

“To the chiefs and people in the affected areas, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the country stand with you, in this time of grief,” he added.

A statement signed by Minister for Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has announced the establishment of a National Emergency Response Mechanism. The Emergency team will provide their first briefing from the site of the accident at 11am on Friday.

Government also says it has mobilised and dispatched additional personnel and resources to the community to support the response effort. Government has also deployed a joint team of police and military explosion experts to to examine the situation and put in place the requisite measures to forestall a secondary explosion.

“An alternative route has been created to facilitate the movement of stranded vehicles plying that route. 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 Information Minister said.