3 Killed in rock blasting at Gomoa Buduburam

Three persons died yesterday following the blasting of rocks at Big Apple at Gomoa Buduburam, near Kasoa in the Gomoa East District in the Central Region.

About 39 others were injured in the late afternoon tragedy.

Those killed were two females and a male.

Residents of the area who confirmed the incident said the blasting was done by the construction firm in charge of the dualisation of the Kasoa-Winneba road.

The exercise, they said, was to clear the huge rocks that were underground.

However, the eye-witnesses said instead of the blasting taking place at about 5 p.m., it was done around 3 p.m.

"The blast, I am told, was supposed to take off at around 5 p.m. Unfortunately, it blasted around 3.30 p.m., so the people were not aware that it was blasting time,” one of the residents, who gave his name as Kpakpo, said.

According to him, residents of the area had been told that the exercise would take place around 5 p.m.

He said the victims lived around the area and were hit by flying stones.

Kpakpo said particles also went into the homes of people in the area, leading to many injuries.

"Maybe the person who set the dynamite got the timing wrong, hence, the tragedy," he posited.

The injured and deceased were taken to the St Gregory Hospital at Buduburam.

Ministry to investigate

The Ministry of Roads and Highways confirmed the incident to the Daily Graphic and said it was still investigating the incident to establish the facts.

A vehicle damaged by flying rocks from the explosion

The Head of Public Relations of the Ministry, Nasir Ahmad Yartey, told the Daily Graphic that a tunnel similar to what pertained at Legon Police Station was being constructed at the location of the accidental explosion.

He said during work, the contractor encountered in the ground a huge rock, known as the hardpan rock, 45 metres deep and 20 metres wide, which needed to be blasted.

“So far, the contractor has undertaken 21 controlled blastings at the location. Each time, it is done in collaboration with National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the police,” Mr Yartey said.

The Head of PR at the Ministry of Roads and Highways said the protocol was for NADMO to undertake prior sensitisation before the blasting took place.

Mr Yartey said preliminary indications pointed to today’s incident as an accident, describing it as unfortunate.

“We send condolences to all affected persons. We are still verifying the facts and casualties and we are working with the police, NADMO and all relevant state institutions,” he explained.

Calm

Mr Yartey said following the accident some youth attacked the contractor and about 20 workers were beaten, the construction camp was vandalised and two workers were nearly lynched.

“We want to call upon the youth to exercise restraint; it is an accident, and it will be investigated to the letter,” he said.

The Head of PR also called on the police to provide security for the contractors and their workers, saying, “We don’t want to lose any more life or property”.