One killed as fuel tanker erupts in flames on Ghana's Akosombo–Tema Highway

One person has been killed and another critically injured after a fuel tanker overturned and burst into flames on Ghana's Akosombo–Tema Highway, forcing emergency crews to race to prevent a potentially catastrophic explosion.

The crash happened in the early hours of Sunday at Teye Kwame, a section of the busy highway linking Akosombo and Tema.

According to the Ghana National Fire Service, firefighters from the Somanya Municipal Fire Station were dispatched after receiving a distress call at 04:41 local time.

When crews arrived, the tanker had overturned and was already engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading rapidly and threatening to ignite nearby areas.

Firefighters deployed foam to contain the blaze and prevent further explosions before bringing the fire under control.

The fire service confirmed that one person died in the incident, while another sustained critical injuries. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released.

The cause of the crash has not been officially established, and investigations are under way.

Fuel tanker accidents remain a recurring safety concern on some of Ghana's major highways, where crashes involving petroleum products can lead to large fires, prolonged road closures and significant risks to nearby communities.