Four people have died and ten others have been injured following an explosion at Hamile, a border town in the Upper West Region, on Tuesday, November 3.
Officers of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) reportedly pursued a tricycle carrying suspected explosive materials along an unauthorised route near the Ghana-Burkina Faso border.
According to reports, gunfire struck objects believed to be explosives on the tricycle, triggering the blast. Clashes followed between suspected smugglers and the officers.
Two civilians, reported to be teenagers, and one immigration officer died at the scene. A second officer, who was critically injured, was rushed to the Nandom Hospital but died later.
JoyNews' Upper West Regional Correspondent, Rafiq Salam, earlier reported that two civilians had died, bringing the toll to three. The figure has since risen to four.
Ten other people sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
The government has imposed a curfew on Hamile and surrounding communities in the Lambussie District. The curfew takes immediate effect and runs daily from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Investigations have begun to establish:
- the circumstances of the explosion
- the nature of the suspected explosive materials
- the events that led to the deaths and the clashes
Hamile is a key crossing point where security agencies conduct routine patrols to curb unauthorised movement and cross-border threats. The incident has raised fresh concerns about explosive materials passing through unmonitored border routes.
Further updates are expected as the investigation continues.
