Ghana petrol station inferno kills at least 150 in Accra
4 hours ago
From the section Africa
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Sammy Darko reports from the petrol station
At least 150 people have died in a fire at a petrol station in Ghana's capital, Accra, the country's president says.
The fire on Wednesday night started as people in the city were trying to cope with two days of heavy rain, which has left many homeless and without power.
The flooding hampered rescue efforts and may have led to the fire, the BBC's Sammy Darko reports from Accra.
President John Dramani Mahama has announced three days of national mourning to begin on Monday.
It is thought that people were in the petrol station sheltering from the downpours when the fire broke out, our correspondent says.
President Mahama visited the burnt-out petrol station and described the deaths as "catastrophic" and "almost unprecedented".
He vowed to take tough measures to stop people building on waterways, which appeared to have been a factor in the disaster.
"I think that the time has come for us to remove houses out of water and the public should understand that it is necessary to save everybody else," he said.
Following an emergency meeting of cabinet and security chiefs on how to tackle flooding, the government says it will release £9m ($14m) to help flood victims.
Schools were closed across the capital and children asked to stay at home.
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Fire at petrol station
The fire broke out on Wednesday night
Survivor
Survivor Yaw Aforve said he was sleeping in his car at the petrol station when he heard the fire
Bus conductor Yaw Aforve was sleeping in his vehicle which was parked at the petrol station when the fire started.
He said he jumped into the floodwaters and when he came up for air, the fire burnt his face.
"I was swept away by the water to the other side [of the road]," he added. "I saw so many people screaming and shouting."
Destroyed vehicles at the scene of a petrol station fire in Accra, Ghana, 04 June 2015
The fire services say flooding contributed to the fire
Burnt out petrol station
The petrol station was totally destroyed by the fire
The flooding helped cause the fire, the Ghana fire service said.
The waters "caused the diesel and petrol to flow away from the gas station, and fire from a nearby house led to the explosion", spokesman Billy Anaglate said, the Associated Press news agency reports.
Men stand over a body
One of those who died in the blaze was a child
Mother being consoled
The child's mother was consoled by bystanders
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On the scene - Sammy Darko, BBC Africa, Accra
Two days of heavy rain has brought much of the city to its knees.
There are chaotic scenes with cars being carried away by the water and many roads blocked off.
Hundreds have been trapped in their offices and some have been forced to spend the night in their cars as traffic came to a standstill.
Parts of Accra have been left without power as electricity sub-stations have been damaged in the flooding, which is making the ongoing energy shortages even worse.
Blood on the road under a truck
Blood was seen on the road under the tuck which was carrying away the dead bodies
Flooded street scene
Cars have been washed away and roads have been blocked by the flooding
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Many homes have been flooded and people have been wandering around in their nightclothes after being forced to leave their beds.
One man told a local radio station that he had put his children on top of a wardrobe to save them from the water coming into his house.
Weather forecasters are saying that more rain is on its way.
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and wat has president buhari got to do wif dis??....OP suda gotten a beta title for dis thread....I wudnt blame u tho bet u one of dem haters

@bunmititi, how is Buhari related with the incident in Accra? ln as much as one is not comfortable with someone, it does not give anyone the moral right to bear false witness against another.

Bushari na real bad omen

This op got severe brain damage... Your case don pass yaba left... Ewu

Norada:
Bushari na real bad omen

I doubt if you read the post!

Norada:
Bushari na real bad omen

Pavore9:


I doubt if you read the post!

I doubt if he can read

Stupid OP, stupid heading but RIP to the dead

What is the meaning of this thread? How will this thread brings development to ur life? @OP.
My president is just coming back from a 2days consultation visits and you are here on NL bleming him for another country calamity. Why didn't you blem their president (MAHAMA).
Buhari is the best: take it or leave it!

The Op needs urgent medical attention!

Bunmititi

Arsenella007:
The Op needs urgent medical attention!

I agree wif u on dat

3am Nigerian time....



You are am-b!tch-ous!

Arsenella007:
The Op needs urgent medical attention!

Don't be like that policewoman.You hear?