General News of Thursday, 4 June 2015

Source: starrfmonline.com

Accra floods: Govt declares 3 days national mourning

President, John MahamaPresident, John Mahama

Ghana’s government has declared three days of mourning for the over 100 people who died in Wednesday’s flood and fire disasters in Accra.

The President, John Mahama , has directed that the 3-day exercise starts on Monday June 8, 2015, to Wednesday June 10.

He has also directed that the national flag must fly at half-mast for the mourning period.

The move follows a crisis meeting that was held at the flagstaff House over the devastation Thursday.

A heavy downpour in Accra claimed over 190 lives as a GOIL Fuel Station exploded at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle. There was a loud explosion at the GOIL Fuel Station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle adjacent the GCB Towers during the torrential rains. Hundreds of workers had gathered in front of a Pharmacy Shop near the Filling Station for protection until the rains will subside, but met their untimely deaths after the explosion.

Several people were trapped indoors since the streets were flooded while the fire spread to where they were seeking refuge following a fuel leakage which covered the water.

Dozens of passengers in commercial vehicles as well as private cars which had gone to buy fuel as well as park for safety at the time of the flood, were also trapped and died subsequently during the explosion.