Three Drown In Underground Fuel Tank

Three persons have drowned in an underground fuel tank belonging to the Ghana Cocoa Board at Effiduase in the Eastern Region.

The three men were contracted to repair the underground fuel tank leak.

However, in less than 10 minutes, in an effort to empty the tank, all three were trapped underground and died on the spot.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) personnel rushed to the scene to retrieve the trapped bodies before depositing them at the St Joseph Hospital.

Eastern Regional Fire Commander ACFO1 Jennifer Naa Yarley Quaye says preliminary assessment pointed to negligence.

“We got an emergency call after 11:00 a.m. this morning. We responded in time because it was not far from our office, and there was no traffic on the road. We had to use a rope to pull them out.”

She added: “It was a negligent situation that could have been avoided if they took safety measures seriously. We advise private individuals and organisations to link up with experts when they need to work on leaked fuel tanks or clean them.”

The New Juaben North National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) officer, Darlington Tabi, confirmed the deaths.

He observed that safety preventive measures were not adhered to.

“I can confirm three lives were lost. Fire personnel, ambulance and everyone got on board to retrieve them. We want to advise people who engage in such services to use PPEs.”

The New Juaben North Municipal Environmental Officer, Daniel Kwaku Darku, advised organisations to outsource experts and allied government agencies for maintenance work.

He says the place would be cordoned off until the investigation is completed.