Chirano Gold Mine commiserates with Appiatse explosion victims

Chirano Gold Mines Limited (CGML), a subsidiary of KINROSS Gold corporation, has commiserated with the families of the victims of the Appiatse explosion on Thursday in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region.

In a press release signed by Mr Kwabena Owusu-Ampratwum, Communication Officer of Chirano Gold Mine company limited, and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the Company pledged to provide support to the injured and the bereaved families.

The Company also wished and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The tragedy occurred along the Bogoso-Bawdie road when a vehicle conveying explosives to a mining company allegedly collided with a motorcycle, resulting in an explosion.

According to the Minister of Information, the government had since activated a national emergency response mechanism of, which personnel from the Police Service, Armed Forces, Fire Service, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Municipal Authority to help those affected and bring relief to residents of the town.

A statement from the Minister said additional personnel and resources had been dispatched to the community to support the ongoing response effort.

It said an alternative route had been created to facilitate the movement of stranded vehicles plying that route while all hospitals within the vicinity were being used to treat injured persons, and an evacuation plan was activated to move those in critical conditions to medical facilities in Accra so they could get the needed assistance.

The statement said to forestall a secondary explosion at the site, a joint team of police and military explosion experts had been deployed to examine the situation and put in place requisite measures.

Meanwhile, the government has indicated that some efforts to get stranded community members shelter and other necessities in the days ahead had been set in motion.

“We would want to urge the public to remain calm and obtain regular updates from the national emergency response team,” the statement said.

At 1100 hours on Friday, January 21, the emergency response team will provide updates from the scene of the incident,” it stated.

“Also, the government has commended the Police Service, Fire Service, NADMO, Ghana Health Service, National Ambulance Service, and the Municipal Authority, health professionals in the medical facilities within the vicinity, and residents for their assistance so far.

“Government further expresses deep condolences to the families of the deceased and sends best wishes to the injured for their speedy recovery, as relief and containment efforts continue and the situation is brought under considerable control,” the statement said.