Huge explosion in Ghana mining region kills residents, fells buildings

Video posted on social media showed a massive crater in the ground following an explosion in Ghana’s rural Western Region Thursday (January 20) that killed an unknown number of nearby residents.

The footage showed widespread damage to houses nearby.

The explosion happened at Apiate, between the towns of Bogoso and Bawdie, when a truck carrying explosives to a gold mine collided with a motorcycle.

The truck was carrying explosives belonging to a company called Maxam, which was on its way to the Chirano gold mine. The Chirano gold mine, is operated by Toronto-based Kinross.

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo declared on Twitter “This is a truly tragic incident and on behalf of the government I extend my deepest condolences to all the crew members. On behalf of the government, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased”.

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