Pope Francis prays for grief-stricken Ghana

Pope Francis has joined a host of world leaders to express his “heartfelt condolences” to Ghanaians after an explosion at a petrol station and flood in Accra led to the death of over 150 persons.

In a terse message sent through the Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pontiff committed the souls of the departed to Almighty God and invoked the “divine gifts of consolation and strength upon those who mourn and upon all who have been affected by this tragedy.”

The Government of Ghana has declared three days of national mourning in what is believed to be the worst disaster to hit the West Africa nation since the May 9, 2001 stadium disaster.

Meanwhile, former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has offered a message of condolence to the bereaved family members after Wednesday’s fuel station explosion.

“My thoughts are with the victims of the explosion in Accra and their loved ones. May they rest in peace,” the Ghanaian-born diplomat wrote on his facebook wall.

Many African leaders including Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe and recently sworn-in president of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari have reached out to the West African nation, expressing sorrow over the loss of more than 150 lives.

Gnassingbe joined President Mahama on Friday to visit some of the worst affected areas whilst Buhari described the incident as “painful and regrettable.”

Senegal and Cote d'lvoire have presented relief and medical consignments to government.

The police and military have cordoned off the fire disaster zone while investigation into the tragedy proceeds.

The Fire Service said its preliminary investigations reveal that loose valves at the GOIL station sparked the fire.

Meanwhile, government has announced a GHc50 million relief package for the victims.