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Ghana explosion: At least 17 killed and dozens injured in mining truck crash blast which leaves huge crater

Footage from the scene in the rural community of Apiate, showed a massive crater at the epicentre of the detonation, which reduced hundreds of buildings to piles of wood and rubble, with bodies seen amongst the debris.

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Bystanders capture the aftermath of a huge explosion in southern Ghana after a lorry carrying explosives crashed.
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At least 17 people have been killed and 59 injured in a huge blast in Ghana after a truck carrying explosives to a gold mine collided with a motorcycle, authorities say.

Footage from the scene showed a massive crater at the epicentre of the explosion, which reduced hundreds of buildings to piles of wood, rubble and twisted metal.

Bodies could be seen amongst the debris.

The explosion happened in the rural community of Apiate, near Bogoso, a mining town in the southwestern part of the country, around 188 miles (303km) from the capital Accra.

A view shows debris of houses and other buildings that were destroyed when a vehicle carrying mining explosives detonated along a road in Apiate, Ghana, January 21, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Cooper Inveen
Image: The blast caused widespread destruction, levelling hundreds of buildings

Truck on way to gold mine

The truck had been on its way to the Chirano mine, which is run by the Canadian-based Kinross Gold Corporation.

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo wrote on Twitter: "It is a truly sad, unfortunate and tragic incident, and I extend, on behalf of Government, deep condolences to the families of the deceased, and I wish the injured a speedy recovery."

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He added: "Government will spare no effort to ensure a rapid return to a situation of normalcy for residents of Apiate."

Many caught in explosion

Prosper Baah, acting regional head of the National Ambulance Service, said many people were hurt as they tried to get to the scene of the accident and were caught in the explosion.

"It is a very sad situation," he added.

A view shows debris of houses and other buildings that were destroyed when a vehicle carrying mining explosives detonated along a road in Apiate, Ghana, January 21, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Cooper Inveen
Image: An investigation has been launched into the incident

Relief effort under way

An investigation has been launched by the country's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources into the cause of the accident and whether the rules of the transportation of explosives had been followed.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Organisation is coordinating the relief effort to evacuate casualties and help residents, whose homes have been destroyed.