  Accra Accra (Ghana) | |
| Date | 3 June 2015 |
|---|---|
| Location | Accra, Ghana |
| Coordinates | 5°34′4.8″N 0°12′55.4″W / 5.568000°N 0.215389°W |
| Cause | Fuel fire, explosion, flooding |
| Deaths | 256[1] |
On June 3, 2015, an explosion and a fire occurred at a petrol station in Ghana's capital city Accra, killing over 250 people.[2][3][4][5]
The GOIL station, near Kwame Nkrumah Interchange[6] in the city's downtown area, was being used as a shelter from heavy rains and flooding from [7]several days of flooding in the city, and was packed with people, cars and buses, waiting to leave to their various destinations when the explosion occurred. The source of the explosion is unknown though believed to have occurred in the station's fuel tanks. One survivor stated that the power had gone out before the explosion, but after the power was restored, they heard a "pop" and then the fire erupted.[3] About 96 people were taking shelter at the station before they were killed by the fire.[3]
Due to the flooding, water had mixed in with the fuel, and when the tanks exploded, the water exacerbated the spread of the fire to nearby buildings, killing additional citizens.[3] The ongoing rainfall and flooding made rescue efforts difficult.[8][9] So many bodies were taken to the 37 Military Hospital, the largest specialist hospital in Ghana, that the morgue was overwhelmed.[10][11]
Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic incident at a petrol station in Accra in which so many people died or were seriously injured, the Holy Father sends heartfelt condolences to the relatives of the deceased and injured, to the authorities and to the entire Nation. His Holiness commends the souls of the departed to Almighty God and willingly invokes the divine gifts of consolation and strength upon those who mourn and upon all who have been affected by this tragedy.[14]