Four discharged, six referred after fuel tanker explosion in Eastern Region

Six people with severe burns have been transferred to the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua for specialised treatment following a fuel tanker explosion at Ntoaso, near Nsawam, on the Accra–Kumasi Highway.

Four other victims have been treated and discharged, while 10 remain on admission at various health facilities.

Police say three charred bodies – two men and a woman – were recovered from the scene.

The Eastern South Regional Police Commander, DCOP Boadi Bossman, told journalists at the hospital that 20 victims were initially sent there after the explosion.

“We have been in the hospital to actually find out, and that is what the medical officers are telling us,” he said.

He warned members of the public to stay away from fuel tankers involved in accidents.

“Anytime a tanker falls or is involved in an accident, nobody should go near it. The container is flammable. It can explode,” he said.

DCOP Bossman said police had been carrying out community sensitisation along the Nsawam corridor to educate residents about the dangers of approaching fallen tankers.

“Sometimes when we get to such scenes, some people even throw stones at us. But we will continue to go from community to community to educate them,” he added.

He explained that the tanker was carrying petrol, which is more flammable than diesel.

“Sometimes it is diesel and the temperature is lower, but this one was petrol. That is why it got burnt,” he said.

In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the Eastern South Police Public Relations Officer, DSP David Fianko-Okyere, police said the tanker was transporting petrol from Tema to Kumasi when it was involved in an accident at Ntoaso on the Accra–Suhum dual carriageway.

Preliminary investigations suggest the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing the tanker to burst. The spilled fuel then ignited, affecting vehicles behind it.

Six vehicles and four motorcycles were destroyed in the fire.