Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said government will ensure that those injured in the Apeatse explosion are given the best of healthcare during their treatment.

According to him, over 59 people who are said to have sustained severe degrees of injury are receiving treatment have been admitted to various hospitals.

The Vice President made this known on Friday when he led a delegation to ascertain the state of affairs after Thursday's blast in the Western Region.

"Government on its part is going to do everything to support the families and those who have been injured. We are also looking into how to make sure how all who are injured are taken care of. Some have been taken to Tarkwa, Kumasi, some will be sent to Accra to get the best care that we can afford them," he told residents.

Dr Bawumia also revealed that efforts are being put in place to ensure those displaced are provided with shelter in the shortest possible time.

"For the houses that have been destroyed, we are already beginning to think about how to rehabilitate and rebuild a facility here.

With the State Housing Corporation in consultation with mining companies around here, we will quickly try to put in place facilities that have been displaced. That will be a priority."

Currently, some displaced residents have been relocated to a makeshift camp at the Bogoso St. Michael Parish Hall.

Reports from the Information Ministry reveal that 17 lives were lost due to the explosion.

During his visit, the Vice President commiserated with the affected families.

"A major disaster befell us yesterday. It did not only befall the community here in Appiatse but the whole of Ghana. That is why the President asked me to lead this government delegation to come and assess the situation and see what we are going to do for the people.

We wish to express our deepest condolences to those who sadly lost their lives from this sad incident," Dr Bawumia stated.

He used the opportunity to thank the Fire, Police and Ambulance Services for their collaborative efforts to douse the fire, rescue those who had been affected and transport them to various hospitals for treatment.

"The ambulance service has played a major role in the rescue effort that was well coordinated by the Security Services, Police and Fire Service, Airforce and NADMO."

Apeatse explosion

On Thursday, January 20, there was an explosion at Appiatse between Bogoso and Bawdie in the Western Region.

Videos circulating on social media showed the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) officials conveying what looked like bodies out of the rubble.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the Police revealed that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion.

The Police stated that the rider of the motorcycle from the opposite direction rode under the vehicle at around 1:25 pm on Thursday.

According to the Police, due to the impact of the crash, the motorcycle caught fire and ignited the explosives on the DAF van. The DAF vehicle thus burst into flames.

The driver sustained a deep cut on the head and was rushed to Government Hospital, Tarkwa but the Police escort escaped unhurt, the report added.