Four dead, several injured in Aboso explosion after gunfire hits suspected explosives

At least four people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following a powerful explosion at Aboso in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region on Tuesday, August 4. Eyewitnesses have linked the blast to an attempt to shoot a snake that accidentally ignited explosives reportedly stored near a fuel station in the Breman community.

The explosion, which occurred in the afternoon, sent shockwaves through the area, with residents initially mistaking the thunderous blast for an earthquake.

“We heard a loud sound, which many of us thought was an earthquake. We later found out that a man known to be dealing in explosives had gone to hide some of these explosives around a gas station in Breman,” one eyewitness told Myjoyonline.com.

According to the witness, workers associated with the owner of the explosives were carrying out activities near the storage site when they spotted a snake. In an attempt to kill the reptile, one of the workers fired a gun. The bullet missed the snake and struck the hidden explosives, triggering a massive detonation.

“He fired the gun aimed at the snake, but it ended up hitting the explosives that were hidden and ended up exploding, killing many of the people who were around,” the witness recounted.

The blast claimed four lives instantly and left several others with varying degrees of injury. The injured were rushed to nearby health facilities by emergency responders who arrived promptly at the scene to provide medical assistance and secure the area.

The explosion also caused panic among residents, many of whom fled their homes in fear of further blasts. Damage to nearby structures has been reported, though the full extent is yet to be assessed.

The circumstances surrounding the storage of the explosives remain unclear. It is not known who owned the explosives, why they were stored near a fuel station—a high-risk location—or whether the storage was authorised by any regulatory body.

The Western Regional Police Command has since launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities are expected to establish the exact cause, identify the individuals involved, and determine whether any safety regulations were violated.

The Aboso explosion adds to a growing list of industrial and accidental explosions in Ghana in recent years, raising concerns about the enforcement of safety protocols governing the storage and handling of dangerous materials, especially in residential and commercial areas.

The police have appealed to the public to remain calm as investigations proceed and have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist in their inquiries. Meanwhile, families of the deceased are mourning the tragic loss, and the injured are receiving treatment as the community grapples with the aftermath of the deadly blast.