The bodies of seven Ghanaian traders killed in a terrorist attack in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, have been laid to rest, as the Ghanaian government intensifies efforts to evacuate the surviving victims.

Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, disclosed this in an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, February 16.

He further revealed that the bodies of the deceased were burnt beyond recognition and had begun decomposing, forcing authorities to proceed with burial arrangements in Burkina Faso.

“The seven bodies have been burnt beyond recognition. As at yesterday, we agreed they had begun decomposing and had to be buried,” he said.

According to him, government had hoped its diplomatic mission would be present to witness the burial, but the volatile security situation prevented safe travel to the area.

"So the Burkina Faso authorities told us [Ghanaians] that they would bury them at 10 a.m today. But our women who are not really injured can go and witness and take as many pictures as possible," he added.

Mr Mubarak said Burkina Faso’s military is now working to create a secure corridor to transport the injured and uninjured survivors to Ghana’s mission in Ouagadougou, after which arrangements will be made for their return home.

The victims were part of a group of 18 Ghanaian tomato traders and truck drivers who were caught in the deadly attack last Saturday. The incident left seven people dead and several others injured.

According to the Interior Minister, three men sustained injuries, while one woman remains in critical condition.

“And the sad thing is that we lost seven of our men. Three of them got injured. One woman was critically injured, and others were not badly injured,” he said.