On October 14, 2024, a devastating incident unfolded in Gomoa Buduburam, Ghana. Chinese road contractors conducted a rock blasting operation that killed at least four people and injured over 30 others.
The blasting occurred near the Big Apple area on the Accra-Winneba highway. Alarmingly, the contractors executed this operation without notifying local residents or traffic on the highway.
Overview of the Incident
Eyewitnesses reported that the blasting lasted only a few minutes but caused widespread destruction. Debris flew into nearby homes and vehicles, creating chaos in the area.
Residents had halted their vehicles on the highway during the operation. This lack of warning raised significant safety concerns about the construction company’s practices.
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Locals have previously voiced complaints about property damage from similar blasting activities, which often resulted in shattered roofing sheets and other structural issues.
Casualties and Community Response
Initial reports confirmed three fatalities, but numbers later rose to four as more details emerged. Medical personnel transported the injured to St. Gregory Hospital in Buduburam.
Hospital administrator Mattias Ayegre-Anaba reported that medical staff treated 42 individuals, including 18 females and 9 males.
Some victims required transfer to larger medical facilities for more advanced care due to their injuries.
The local community reacted with outrage following the blast. Residents confronted workers from the construction company, demanding accountability for their failure to provide notice and implement safety measures.
In a video on X shows residents approaching the chinese engineer with machetes threatening to take his life.
Authorities have detained a Chinese national leading the construction team for questioning.
