At least four people have reportedly been killed after a powerful explosion ripped through an illegal mining site at Aboso in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region.
According to multiple reports, the blast was triggered when a man allegedly fired a gun at a snake, but the bullet struck explosives stored at the site, causing a massive explosion that also left several other people injured.
A report by citinewsroom.com quoted an eyewitness as saying the incident occurred near a filling station at Breman, where explosives had allegedly been hidden.
The eyewitness explained that many residents initially believed an earthquake had occurred because of the force of the 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 hidden some of these explosives around a gas station in Breman,” the eyewitness said.
The witness further alleged that the man had intended to shoot a snake but accidentally hit the explosives instead.
“He fired the gun at the snake, but it ended up hitting the explosives that were hidden there, causing an explosion that killed many of the people who were around,” the eyewitness added.
The explosion sent shockwaves through the community, causing panic among residents as emergency personnel rushed to the scene to rescue victims and secure the area.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the alleged storage of explosives at the illegal mining site.
