Four people were burnt beyond recognition following a fuel tanker explosion on the Nsawam–Accra highway in the early hours of Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Several others were left in critical condition and received treatment at the Nsawam Government Hospital, while some were referred to medical facilities in Accra and Koforidua for advanced care, according to rescue teams at the scene.
Preliminary reports indicated that the explosion followed a collision involving the tanker and another vehicle, triggering a massive blaze which engulfed about five vehicles and five motorbikes.
The four victims died at the scene from severe burns sustained in the inferno, with emergency responders unable to rescue them due to the intensity of the fire.
The extent of injuries among survivors suggested the death toll could rise, as some of the critically injured victims continued to battle for their lives in various hospitals.
Thick plumes of smoke billowed from the accident site, causing alarm among motorists and residents in nearby communities along the busy highway.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service were at the scene working to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other vehicles and properties.
The Fire Service cordoned off the affected area as firefighting operations continued, with officers battling to bring the blaze under control.
Medical personnel and ambulance services were deployed to transport the injured to hospitals, with the Nsawam Government Hospital receiving the majority of casualties.
Those in critical condition were referred to better-equipped facilities in Accra and Koforidua, where they could receive specialised burn treatment and intensive care.
The incident caused significant traffic disruption along the Nsawam–Accra stretch, one of the busiest highways connecting the Eastern Region to the capital.
Motorists were advised to exercise extreme caution when approaching the area, as long queues formed on both sides of the highway.
