Ghana’s government on Friday said it was investigating a massive blast involving a truck transporting mining explosives that killed at least 13 people and wounded dozens more.
The explosion on Thursday destroyed scores of homes and left a huge crater with wreckage strewn across the ground in the village of Apiate, 300 kilometers (180 miles) west of the capital Accra.
Authorities said the initial investigation indicated the truck collided with a motorbike and another vehicle, triggering the blast.
“The investigation will among others help… to determine whether the regulations covering transportation of explosives were complied with and also what led to the unfortunate tragedy,” the ministry of lands and natural resources said in a statement.
William Jabialu, police commander for the Prestea Huni Valley region, said the death toll had been revised to 13 from an initial 17 reported fatalities.
Another 45 people were being treated in the hospital, he told local media.
Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo called it a “sad, unfortunate and tragic incident” and expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased.
Visiting the explosion site, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia said the government would cover the cost of hospital bills and help with relief aid for those affected.
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