It was a dramatic scene in Accra’s Central Business District (CBD) on Monday as personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) rushed to the Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) area. Their mission: to assist scores of people who had suddenly begun struggling to breathe amid intense Christmas shopping crowds.
The usually bustling area was even more packed than usual, with shoppers making last-minute purchases for the festive season. The overcrowding quickly turned alarming when multiple individuals began experiencing acute breathing difficulties, sending waves of panic through traders, buyers, and transport operators alike.
Emergency calls flooded in, and GNFS crews arrived swiftly at the scene. They sprang into action, offering initial aid and conducting atmospheric monitoring to detect any possible hazards. In a bid to clear the air, the firefighters sprayed water into the atmosphere, creating a surreal scene of artificial rain in the heart of the city.
Initial reports pointed to a suspected chemical release or a concentrated plume of fumes from an unknown source as the possible cause. However, some speculated that foul odours from gutter debris—freshly collected during a clean-up exercise, may have contributed to the problem. Amidst the confusion, eyewitnesses described seeing several people gasping for breath, though no official casualty figures were immediately available.
As the emergency unfolded, commercial drivers seized the opportunity to double their fares. Passengers desperate to get home in the chaos found themselves paying GHS 5 for a trip from Tudu to Kwame Nkrumah Circle, GHS 10 to Lapaz, and GHS 10 to Dome, with fares as high as GHS 20 to Nsawam. Despite the steep prices and the presence of police from the MTTD, the scramble for vehicles continued.
Officials from the Ghana National Fire Service, along with the Ambulance Service and other relevant agencies, are actively investigating the incident and are expected to provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
