Four people have been killed and several others injured after a dynamite explosion at Aboso in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region, with eyewitnesses saying the blast was triggered when a gunshot fired at a snake struck explosives hidden near a fuel station.
The explosion, which occurred at Breman, sent shockwaves through the community and left residents in panic as many initially believed an earthquake had struck the area.
An eyewitness said a man, believed to have been dealing in explosives, had allegedly stored dynamite near a fuel station. According to the witness, some workers linked to the man later spotted a snake in the area and attempted to kill it by firing a gun.
However, the bullet reportedly missed its target and struck the hidden explosives, causing a massive explosion.
“We heard a loud sound, which many of us thought was an earthquake. We later found out that a man who is known to be dealing in explosives had gone to hide some of these explosives around a fuel station in Breman,” the eyewitness recounted on Tuesday, August 4.
The witness said the workers had been operating nearby when they noticed the snake.
“He fired the gun aimed at the snake, but it ended up hitting the explosives that were hidden and they exploded, killing many of the people who were around,” the eyewitness added.
The blast killed four people and injured several others, according to initial reports.
Emergency responders later arrived at the scene to assist the injured, secure the area and manage the aftermath of the explosion as investigations into the incident continue.
