An alarming fuel tanker explosion rocked the Nsawam-Accra highway in the early hours of Saturday, February 14, 2026, leading to a catastrophic blaze that destroyed multiple vehicles and caused significant disruption. The incident, which occurred at Ntoaso on the Accra–Suhum dual carriageway, sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky, creating widespread alarm among motorists and residents in nearby communities along the busy stretch.

Preliminary investigations point to a collision involving the fuel tanker as the trigger for the inferno. According to a statement from the Ghana Police Service, the tanker, loaded with petrol en route from Tema to Kumasi, lost control upon reaching a section of the road at Ntoaso. This led to the tanker blasting, with its highly flammable contents splashing onto vehicles behind it, resulting in the rapid escalation of the fire.

The immediate aftermath saw extensive destruction, with the police confirming that in all, six vehicles and four motorcycles were completely engulfed and burnt. The scale of the blaze necessitated a swift and comprehensive response from emergency services to contain the fire and prevent its spread to surrounding properties.

Tragically, the explosion resulted in loss of life and multiple injuries. While initial reports indicated no casualties, subsequent accounts reported four people burnt beyond recognition. However, a later press release from the Ghana Police Service confirmed the recovery of three bodies from the scene, comprising two unidentified charred male bodies and one unidentified body found within a burnt vehicle. Additionally, four other individuals sustained injuries due to the blast and were rushed to nearby health facilities for urgent medical attention. Some critically injured victims were referred to specialized burn treatment centers in Accra and Koforidua from Nsawam Government Hospital, where they are battling for their lives, indicating a potential rise in the death toll.

Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) from both Suhum and Nsawam were quickly deployed to the scene, working tirelessly to douse the fire and bring it under control. Emergency responders cordoned off the affected area to ensure safety as firefighting operations continued. Medical personnel and ambulance services were also on standby, facilitating the transportation of the injured to hospitals.

The incident caused significant traffic disruption along the Nsawam-Accra stretch, one of the busiest highways connecting the Eastern Region to the capital. Long queues formed on both sides of the road, prompting police personnel to manage traffic flow and divert vehicles to alternative routes where possible. Authorities urged motorists to exercise extreme caution when approaching the area, reduce their speed, and comply with police directives to ensure safety.

In the aftermath, the Ghana Police Service has commenced visits to nearby hospitals to assist in identifying the victims. Efforts are also underway to remove the accident vehicles from the scene to ease traffic and fully restore normalcy to the highway.