Ten years ago, Accra experienced one of its deadliest disasters, a devastating combination of flooding and fire that claimed over 150 lives.
On June 3, 2015, heavy rains flooded parts of the city, forcing many to seek shelter at a GOIL fueling station near Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
As floodwaters rose, fuel leaked from the station and floated across the surface.
Unconfirmed reports indicate a discarded cigarette ignited the fuel, triggering a massive explosion that engulfed the area in flames.
The aftermath was harrowing.
Bodies were found scattered in the streets, some washed into open drains.
Emergency responders worked tirelessly to clear the wreckage.
The government declared three days of national mourning and launched an investigation into the tragedy.
The official report pointed to severe flooding, fuel overflow, and the final spark as contributing factors. Beyond the human toll, the explosion injured another 154 people and destroyed property worth GHS 1.65 million.
In response, a government committee recommended drainage improvements, dredging the Odaw River, and stricter sanitation regulations.
However, a decade later, many believe Accra still faces infrastructural challenges that leave it vulnerable to similar disasters.
As Ghana marks the tenth anniversary of the June 3 tragedy, survivors, victims’ families, and civil society groups continue to call for accountability and long-term solutions to prevent history from repeating itself.
