We will spare no effort to return Apiate to normalcy – Akufo-Addo

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has said government will do all it takes to ensure normalcy is returned to Apiate following Thursday afternoon disaster.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo made the comment in a twitter post sighted by GhanaPlus.com on Thursday, January 20.

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

Many feared dead in an explosion at Bogoso Apiate

Apiate, a suburb of Bogoso in the Western Region was on Thursday, January 20 afternoon raze down following an explosion of mining explosives in the community.

Police preliminary investigations said the explosive occurred when a vehicle transporting the mining explosive collided with a motorcycle.

“…………Meanwhile, preliminary investigation has established that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion,” a statement from the Ghana Police Service said.

Speaking to the media, the Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) for Prestea Huni-Valley, Francis Abeiku Yankah described Apiate community as dead adding it can no longer be inhibited due to the extent of the devastation caused by the explosion.

“I was returning from Prestea when I heard an explosion on my way.  I started moving towards the scene after a journalist had called me on phone informing me about what had happened.

“Upon reaching the area, I saw a complete devastation of the community called Apeati, as we speak the community is dead, it cannot be inhabited by anyone.

“Ten lifeless bodies were lying down as a result of the explosion. The MCE who was also informed about the news quickly dispatched excavators to the scene to rescue trapped bodies after some buildings collapsed,” Mr Yankah said.

So far some 17bodies have been retrieved while several injured others are receiving treatment at hospital facilities within the Bogoso municipalities.

Source: GhanaPlus.com