Death toll in underground mine blast rises to 16

The number of people killed in the underground mine blast at Gbane in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region has risen to 16.

Fifteen (15) others are on admission at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital and their condition is said to be critical.

They are believed to be suffering from toxic gas inhalation.

Their situation is becoming more desperate as the facility is reported to be running out of oxygen supply.

Dr. Patrick Atobrah, the Medical Director, said it was not looking good and they were increasingly becoming helpless.

He was speaking when members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), led by the Deputy Regional Minister, Mr. Frank Fuseini Adongo, visited to find out how those on admission were doing and the support that could be given them.

The accident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday and the cause is yet to be established.

Mr Adongo told journalists that his boss, the Regional Minister, Madam Paulina Patience Abayage, was in Accra and doing everything to ensure that the hospital gets enough oxygen supply to save the lives of the patients.

Source: GNA