Three victims of Asokwa gas explosion die

Kumasi, Oct. 02, GNA - The management of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi has confirmed the death of three people, two men and a woman who were among victims of a gas explosion that occurred at Engas Filling Station at Asokwa in Kumasi on Friday, September 21.

The deceased whose names were not disclosed were among seven people sent to the hospital in critical conditions and died from complications as a result of the extensive burns they sustained during the disaster. The man died on Saturday September 29 and the rest during the afternoon of Monday, October 1. The woman was the owner of the filling station. Confirming their deaths to Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Tuesday, Mrs Patience Yeboah-Ampong, Director of Nursing Service, at KATH said their names could not be given for ethical reasons. She expressed shock at their deaths and said though their conditions were fatal initially, the optimal care given by the medical staff brought them out of "danger" two days later, raising high hopes for their survival through reconstructive surgery after the initial treatment of the burns.

Mrs Yeboah-Ampong said management instituted the necessary contingency measures to resolve all complications but their efforts were not successful.

She expressed the condolences of the management to the bereaved families and said the remaining four were in stable condition and doing well.

The Burns Unit of KATH treated and discharged 135 victims, who sustained various degrees of injury as a result of the explosion and fire outbreak at the Filling Station.

No death was recorded during the incident.

A tanker discharging gas at the station exploded sending fireballs that burnt the entire station; five vehicles; part of a lumber processing company, some containers and shops.

About 50 nearby houses including Texas Hotel, Confidence Hotel, Asokwa Presbyterian Church and private houses were also damaged as a result of the explosion.

It took members of the Ghana National Fire Service one-and-half hours to put out the fire.

The Ashanti Regional Security Council set up a committee to investigate the cause of the incident and make recommendations on operation of gas stations in the Region. PAF