What started as a mechanical fault in a fuel tanker on the Accra–Kumasi Highway near Nsawam spiralled into a deadly disaster after residents and motorists attempted to siphon fuel, triggering a massive explosion that burned people, vehicles and motorcycles in a chaotic inferno.

According to accounts from the scene, the tanker developed a technical fault and broke down along the highway. Within minutes, groups of people, including motor riders, drivers and nearby residents, reportedly rushed to the scene to siphon petrol.

Witnesses said some of those fetching fuel used chisels and sharp metal objects to pierce the body of the tanker, forcibly creating openings for fuel to flow out.

The forced leakage led to large volumes of petrol spilling onto the road, creating an extremely volatile and flammable environment. The situation quickly turned catastrophic when the leaked fuel was ignited, causing a powerful explosion that spread fire across the highway. Several people who were siphoning fuel were caught in the flames, along with motorcycles, a taxi, and other vehicles that had moved closer to the tanker.

Among the victims was a woman carrying a baby, who was badly burnt while attempting to siphon fuel. Eyewitnesses said the fire spread so rapidly that another person had to rescue and carry away the baby to safety. Two people inside a taxi that had also driven closer to collect fuel were reportedly burnt to death, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The tanker driver was also badly burnt in the incident and is currently on admission in hospital, receiving treatment for his injuries. Several other victims who suffered burns and smoke inhalation were rushed to medical facilities for emergency care.

Although the flames spread to a nearby VIP passenger bus, a larger tragedy was narrowly avoided.

The VIP driver managed to rescue all passengers before the fire fully engulfed the bus. While the bus itself was later severely burnt, all passengers were evacuated safely, preventing a far higher death toll.

Giving the official police account, the Eastern South Regional Police Commander, DCOP Boadi Bossman, confirmed that the incident was triggered after the tanker broke down and fuel leakage occurred.

He stated that preliminary police investigations indicate that unauthorised siphoning of petrol significantly worsened the situation, leading to the explosion and fire outbreak.

According to him, the highly flammable nature of petrol (not diesel) made the fire spread rapidly once ignition occurred, consuming people and vehicles within seconds.

DCOP Boadi Bossman further disclosed that police and emergency services moved in swiftly to secure the area and prevent further casualties. Officers are currently restricting access to the scene, preventing residents from approaching the tanker or attempting to collect fuel.

He added that investigations are ongoing to establish individual responsibilities and determine possible criminal liability in the siphoning and destruction of property.

Emergency response teams from the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) were deployed to control the fire, rescue victims, and manage the scene.

Firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control, while security personnel established a perimeter and began crowd management operations.

  

Multiple vehicles and motorcycles were completely destroyed in the fire, sections of the highway were damaged, and traffic on the busy corridor was severely disrupted.

Recovery trucks have since been deployed to clear burnt wreckage and debris from the road, while diversion routes were activated to ease congestion.