The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed that the fire outbreak on the Accra-Nsawam Highway near Okanta in the early hours of Saturday, February 14 claimed the lives of six people and injured seven others.

The deceased persons include, three (3) victims including two males and one female.

According to the Service a total of fifteen (15) casualties were recorded following the incident, comprising eleven (11) males and four (4) females.

In a press statement the Ghana National Fire Service added that "A total of 15 casualties were recorded (11 males and 4 females). Three (3) victims (two males, one female) tragically died at the scene, and their badly charred bodies were handed over to the Police for preservation and further investigation".

In the early hours of Saturday, February 14, a fuel tanker explosion destroyed multiple vehicles along the Nsawam-Accra highway, causing heavy traffic congestion on the busy stretch.

Preliminary reports indicate that the explosion occurred after the tanker was involved in a collision, which caused the vehicle to catch fire.

Thick black smoke was seen rising from the scene, sparking fear among motorists and residents in nearby communities.

Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service responded promptly and are working to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading to other vehicles and properties.

Emergency responders have since cordoned off the affected section of the road as firefighting operations continue.No casualties have been confirmed so far.

However, emergency teams are still assessing the situation and searching the area to ensure that no victims are trapped.

The incident has caused significant traffic disruption along the Nsawam-Accra route, which serves as a major link between the Eastern Region and Accra.

Motorists have been advised to exercise caution when approaching the area and to use alternative routes while firefighting and vehicle recovery operations continue. Police personnel are also at the scene managing traffic and ensuring the safety of road users.

Meanwhile, Eastern South Regional Police Commander, DCOP George Ohene Bossman Boadi, has warned the public against stealing fuel from tankers involved in road accidents.

The warning comes after a fatal fuel tanker explosion was reported at Ntoaso on the Accra–Nsawam Highway in the Eastern Region, which killed three people and damaged property.

According to a report by 3News.com, Suhum Fire Service Public Relations Officer ADO1 Akonoh Opare Ohene Daniel explained that the blast occurred when residents tried to steal fuel from the overturned tanker.

“The residents in this area were siphoning the fuel, leading to the explosion. Traffic had already built up, and a female motorist who was trapped behind was burnt too.This is wrong. Residents along highways must stop engaging in such illegal activities,” he stated.

He therefore urged the public to refrain from such dangerous and illegal acts and allow experts to manage accident scenes at all times.

The 3News.com report added that Eyewitnesses revealed that the incident happened around 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, when a fuel tanker heading toward Kumasi reportedly overturned along the shoulder of the busy highway.

Several residents and motorcycle riders rushed to the scene to steal fuel from the overturned vehicle.

The situation quickly turned deadly when the tanker ignited, causing an explosion that claimed the lives of two men and one woman.

The blast also destroyed around five vehicles caught in traffic, including motorcycles believed to belong to the victims. Passengers and bystanders fled as flames spread across the area.

Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Police Service, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and National Ambulance Service responded swiftly.

Several individuals who sustained life-threatening injuries were rescued and taken to Nsawam Government Hospital, where they are receiving treatment. The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the Suhum Government Hospital morgue.

Eastern South Regional Police Commander DCOP George Ohene Bossman Boadi stated that police officers would remain at the scene to manage traffic while Fire Service personnel continue efforts to extinguish the flames.