Blast kills over 70 people at Ghana gas station

A blast at a gas station in Ghana has reportedly killed more than 70 people, who were taking shelter there during torrential rainfall and flooding.

Authorities said on Thursday that the deadly explosion happened at a gas station near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in the central-southern part of the capital, Accra.

Neighbors said a group of people were taking shelter in a shed at the gas station during a severe rain fall when the blast occurred.

There was no immediate report on the cause of the blast.

According to reports, floodwaters in the region hampered rescue efforts overnight.

The picture shows fire and smoke after a blast at a gas station near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in the central-southern part of Accra, June 3, 2015.

Billy Anaglate, a spokesman for Ghana Fire Service, said rescue workers began recovering the trapped scorched bodies earlier in the day.

“We are still trying to salvage the site of the accident before we can come out with an accurate figure,” he said.

However, Disaster Management Coordinator at Ghanaian Red Cross Francis Obeng said over 70 people were killed in the blast.

Torrential rains have left traces of devastation in Accra, as several parts of the largest southern city have been submerged. The heavy rains left many commuters stranded and several homes flooded and caused power outages.