Essikado-Ketan explosion: victims appeal for support as death toll rises

The Assembly Member for Egyiresia-Mempasem, Gabriel Ato Mensah, has appealed for financial support to cover the medical bills of victims of a premix fuel explosion.

This comes in the wake of three more fatalities, bringing the total death toll to six.

Mr Ato Mensah expressed deep concern over the mounting medical bills and the urgent need for financial assistance.

“The cost of treatment is extremely high, and the community is struggling to cover these expenses. We are appealing to the public, corporate entities, and kind-hearted individuals to help save the lives of the remaining victims,” said Mr. Mensah.

The Assembly Member also indicated that preparations were underway for the burials of the recent victims, highlighting the ongoing emotional and financial toll on the community.

“So now the death toll has become six instead of the initial three that we had already buried. We are preparing to discuss how to bury the three new fatalities. Fortunately, Nurudeen Morrison, 24 years old, was buried this Monday as per Muslim rites at Mankessim,” he said in an interview with Channel One TV, monitored by theghanareport.com.

It will be recalled that the explosion occurred around 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Ngyiresia, in the Western region, as fishermen were transporting gallons of premix fuel to their canoes along the beach.

Due to the lack of an access route from the main road to the beach, fishermen usually roll barrels of fuel on the ground to the beach. This method led to the explosion during transport.

The premix fuel leaked from some of the barrels to the ground and came into contact with fire used by fishmongers, leading to the explosion.

The blast also caused significant damage, destroying two vehicles and several nearby wooden structures.