Four people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following a devastating dynamite explosion at a tailings site in Aboso, in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region. The incident occurred at Breman on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting a major emergency response.
Preliminary reports indicate that the explosion was triggered after a gun was fired in an attempt to kill a python that had been spotted at the site. The gunshot is believed to have struck explosive materials reportedly stored on the premises, setting off a powerful blast. According to eyewitnesses, the explosion was so loud that many residents initially believed an earthquake had struck the area.
“We heard a loud sound, which many of us thought was an earthquake. We later found out that a man who was known to be dealing in explosives had hidden some of the explosives around the site,” an eyewitness recounted.
The witness explained that workers at the tailings site had earlier spotted a python and alerted the facility owner. The owner reportedly arrived with a firearm intending to kill the snake. However, the shot allegedly missed the reptile and instead hit explosives stored at the site, triggering the deadly explosion.
The blast caused widespread panic, with residents fleeing the area as emergency personnel rushed to rescue victims, transport the injured to nearby health facilities and secure the scene. The Western Central Regional Police Command has since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 5, police confirmed that preliminary investigations point to the accidental discharge of explosives after a gunshot struck materials believed to have been illegally stored on the premises.According to the police, the owner of the facility, identified as David Kofi Fletcher, is among the four people who lost their lives in the explosion.
Police said Fletcher reportedly arrived at the site carrying a pump-action gun after being informed that a python had been sighted by workers. It is suspected that pellets from the firearm struck explosive materials, igniting the blast. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the other three victims or the exact number of people who sustained injuries. The injured are reportedly receiving treatment at various health facilities.
The police said the bodies of the deceased have been conveyed to the morgue pending identification and autopsy. “The Minerals Commission has been notified and is collaborating with the Police as investigations continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” the statement said.
Investigators are expected to determine the legality of the explosives allegedly stored at the site, as well as whether established safety protocols governing the handling and storage of explosives were breached.
The incident has renewed concerns over the illegal storage and handling of explosives in mining communities, particularly in areas where both licensed and illegal mining activities are prevalent. Authorities are expected to intensify inspections and enforcement measures as investigations continue.
Police have urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with investigators by providing any information that could assist in establishing the exact cause of the explosion. Further updates are expected as investigations progress.
Philbert Amiba Ayuusah