At least four people have reportedly died following a massive explosion at an illegal mining site in Aboso, in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, is said to have caused panic among residents, with several others sustaining injuries and receiving assistance after the blast.
According to eyewitness accounts, the explosion occurred after a gunshot allegedly fired at a snake at the mining site struck explosives that had reportedly been stored nearby.
An eyewitness who spoke about the incident said the sound of the explosion was so powerful that many residents initially mistook it for an earthquake.
“We heard a loud sound, which many of us thought was an earthquake. We later found out that a man who deals in explosives had hidden some of these explosives around a gas station at Breman,” the eyewitness reportedly said.
The eyewitness added that the situation worsened when the gunshot fired at the snake allegedly hit the explosives, triggering the deadly blast.
The explosion reportedly killed some individuals at the scene instantly and left others injured, while residents rushed to find safety amid the confusion and fear that followed.
Emergency responders later arrived at the site to manage the situation, assist victims and begin efforts to assess the extent of the damage.
Authorities are expected to provide further details as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the explosion and the storage of explosives at the mining site.
