Two more victims have succumbed to injuries sustained in the recent premix fuel explosion at Ngyiresia, near Essikado in Ghana’s Western Region.
The initial explosion on Saturday, May 18th, tragically claimed the lives of two individuals and injured approximately 14 others. Sadly, a third person succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
This latest update brings the confirmed death toll to five. In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, Ngyiresia Assembly Member Gabriel Ato Mensah identified the two most recent victims as Kojo Agyiri (55) and Nurudeen Cornelius (24). Both men passed away at home after their families requested their release from medical facilities.
Call for Safety Measures
In the wake of this tragedy, Chairman of the National Premix Fuel Committee, Dennis Percyval Quaicoe, emphasized the importance of safety precautions when handling premix fuel. He urged fishermen to adopt best practices to prevent future fire outbreaks.
Mr. Quaicoe interacted with fishermen in Ngyiresia, stressing the dangers of overcrowding at premix depots and storing fuel in defective containers. He also visited the families of the deceased and those injured who remain hospitalized at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi.
Government Response
The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, assured residents of swift action to address the blocked access road to the beach. Engineers will be deployed to identify structures that need removal to facilitate road construction and prevent similar incidents.
Charles Bissue, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary candidate for Essikado-Ketan, offered condolences to the bereaved families and those injured. He relayed that President Akufo-Addo has been informed of the disaster and has pledged his support to alleviate their suffering.
