AFP, ACCRA: More than 150 people have now died in a devastating petrol station fire and heavy flooding in Ghana's capital, Accra, the country's Red Cross said yesterday. "As at yesterday (Thursday) we have recovered more than 150 corpses. Sixty people have been taken to the hospital," disaster management coordinator Francis Obeng told AFP. The fire broke out at a filling station in Accra late Wednesday, where people sought shelter from heavy rains that caused widespread flooding. Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama described the loss of life as "catastrophic and almost unprecedented", and announced that three days of national mourning would be held from Monday. There were also victims from the heavy flooding, and rescuers as well as dozens of volunteers are currently carrying out assessment of the situation and providing relief materials to those displaced or affected by the disaster, Obeng said. "We are providing blankets, mats and drugs to residents in the seven communities affected by the fire and flooding," he added. "UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) officials are also joining us in our efforts to bring succour to those affected," he added. Ghana police spokesman Arthur Cephas said that the situation was returning to normal. "Police are protecting lives and properties as well as ensuring that evidence that would assist in the investigation is not tampered with," he told AFP. "We have commenced investigations into this monumental national tragedy... more bodies have been recovered from across Accra following the flooding."
More than 150 people have died in a devastating petrol station blast during heavy flooding in Ghana's capital, prompting the nation's leader to call three days of national mourning over the "catastrophic" loss of life. The fire hit a filling station in Accra late on Wednesday, causing an explosion at the pumps that killed dozens of people seeking shelter from torrential rains and widespread flooding in the area that also claimed numerous victims. "As of yesterday (Thursday) we have recovered more than 150 corpses. Sixty people have been taken to the hospital," Red Cross disaster management coordinator Francis Obeng told AFP Friday, raising the toll from Thursday's count of at least 90 killed. As he toured the scene of the disaster, Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama described the loss of life as "catastrophic and almost unprecedented" and announced three days of national mourning from Monday, with flags flying at half-mast, after rescue operations finished. "A lot of people have lost their lives and I am lost for words," he told reporters. The fire, which is thought to have spread from a nearby residence, appeared to have engulfed a bus full of passengers that was waiting at the station, an AFP reporter at the scene said.