Several victims and eyewitnesses have shared their experiences following a highway rock-blasting incident on the Buduburam stretch of the Accra-Winneba Highway.
The blast, which occurred on October 14, 2024, reportedly led to the deaths of at least four people.
One of the victims, Sandra Annan, a trader, recounted her experience.
“I was asleep and a small boy came to me that he wanted to change money, so when I changed it for him…they had told us they would do the blasting but they didn’t give us the exact time.
“So we were discussing the issue with one of my colleagues who also sells and then we heard the sound. We had to run and I didn’t even know I was hurt until I went for water from a nearby house, then I was rushed to the hospital.”
Another eyewitness, who requested anonymity, shared a similar account.
“It was around 2:15–3:00 p.m. when we were alerted to move away from the construction site. In less than five minutes, they blasted the rocks. Usually, we are given three hours’ notice before any blasting, but this time, it was only about five minutes.
“This explosion caused massive damage, with around fifteen or more deaths. Initially, we heard that four people had died, but as time passed, more people were injured, and others succumbed to their injuries.”
A motorcyclist, who frequently uses the road, added, “I ride a motorbike here, and whenever they plan a blast, they inform us in advance so the schoolchildren can leave early. But this time, they didn’t notify anyone. Three people died on the spot, and many were injured. What they did was wrong.”
The incident first came to public attention through a post on X (formerly Twitter) by a user named Dr. King Winter:
“A very bloody and nasty incident just happened at Kasoa, Big Apple. They’ve been constructing a highway, and they just blasted dynamite on some rocks. The stones killed and tore apart at least five people on the main road. Blood and body parts everywhere.”
Reports indicate that traffic had been halted briefly to allow the blasting, which lasted only a few minutes.
Following the tragedy, angry residents reportedly attacked some of the staff from the company responsible for the rock blasting.
AM/KA
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