President condoles bereaved families of Appiatse explosion

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed his condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the Apiate explosion and directed the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to step-up efforts to send relief to residents of the town.

Dozens are feared dead in Appiatse, a community of about 500 houses, near Bogoso in the Western Region, after a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to the Chirano Mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in an explosion on Thursday afternoon.

Some houses have been torched, while others have been covered by debris.

In a post shared on his social media pages, President Akufo-Addo said the Police, Armed Forces and NADMO were coordinating efforts to contain the aftermath of the deadly explosion.

He stated: “I have just received a briefing on the circumstances that led to an explosion in Appiatse near Bogoso, in the Western Region, resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction of properties belonging to residents.

“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.

“The Police, Armed Forces and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) are co-ordinating efforts to contain the situation, and I have also instructed NADMO to see to it that rapid relief is brought to residents of the town.

“Government will spare no effort to ensure a rapid return to a situation of normalcy for residents of Apiate.”