- A fuel tanker explosion in Ghana has killed more than 20 people, wounding several others in the town of Techiman, 290 kilometres north-west of the capital Accra, reports said today.
The accident which is reported to have happened in the early hours today, came about when a tanker veered off the road and burst into flames minutes later.
Witnesses said most of the deceased are locals who had crowded around the tanker trying to drain off fuel when the tanker exploded.
A local official said that the bodies were all burnt beyond recognition, saying 50 people were also taken to hospital with serious injuries.
According to the Techiman Municipal Chief Executive, Prince Yaw Donyinah, who local radio station said he went to the scene after his attention had been drawn to the incident, the dead included people who tried to siphon off the fuel from the tanker.
Fire personnel are said to have managed to put down the fire, while the police also arrived to help avert any further deterioration of the situation.
Similar incidents have taken place in Cameroon and Nigeria in the last year, causing scores of deaths.
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