Police confirm on Facebook that a major explosion happened in the city in the west of the country between Bogoso and the village of Bawdie, which is about ten kilometers away. Images posted on social media show a large plume of black smoke over destroyed buildings and debris. About 500 buildings were affected, many of them reportedly burned out.
There is no confirmation yet on the number of victims, but the images show mutilated bodies of victims. An employee of the local authorities told local media that he had seen ten dead himself. According to the police, most of the victims were rescued and admitted to hospitals in Bogoso.
The population in the area is being asked to go to nearby villages for their safety.
The rescue work is in the hands of the police, the army and the national emergency response service.