The Ministry of Roads and Highways Authority has stated that the stone blasting incident at Gomoa Buduburam that resulted in the death of three people and 39 injuries on Monday afternoon was an “unfortunate” accident.
Reports indicate that a tunnel similar to what is at the Legon Police Station that connects the Okponglo traffic light to the Presec traffic light was being constructed at the location.
However, the Head of Public Relations of the Ministry, Nasir Ahmad Yartey, told the media that preliminary indications point to the stone blasting incident by the contractor working on the Kasoa to Winneba highway, as an “unfortunate”.
Out of 39 others who sustained various injuries in the tragedy, four of them were referred to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra and the Winneba Specialist Trauma Centre.
Two women and a man died in the tragedy. It is reported that during the construction works, 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.
As of Monday [October 14], the contractor had undertaken 21 controlled blasting at the location, the public relations officer of the ministry told Graphic Online.
Each time, it is done in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the police, Mr Yartey explained.
The protocol was for NADMO to undertake prior sensitisation before the blasting took place.
“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.