Firefighters avert disaster after fuel tanker overturns at VALCO roundabout

Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service averted a potential disaster on Friday after a fuel tanker overturned at the VALCO Roundabout in Tema, spilling its contents and causing heavy traffic congestion.

The Bulk Road Vehicle (BRV), with registration number GN 4978–12, overturned at about 5:00 a.m. while negotiating the roundabout. The tanker, which was transporting approximately 50,000 litres of naphthalene condensate, fell on its side, spilling part of its load onto the road and into nearby drains.

The incident led to severe gridlock in the area, particularly along the Harbour Road, as motorists were forced to divert to alternative routes.

Swift emergency response

Firefighters from the GNFS responded promptly to the scene to contain the spillage and prevent any fire outbreak.

Speaking to GraphicOnline, the Tema Regional Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, Divisional Officer Grade II Ebenezer Yenzu, said firefighters arrived at the scene at 5:37 a.m. with three fire appliances—two from the Tema Regional Headquarters and one from the Industrial Area Fire Station.

He explained that the Bulk Road Vehicle (BRV), which was transporting the naphthalene condensate from Aboadze to the Tema Oil Refinery, overturned while negotiating the roundabout.

Salvage operation

Mr Yenzu said firefighters managed to contain the spill until an 80,000-tonne crane, brought in by a private operator, Jatot Limited, arrived to lift the tanker.

He added that the truck head was later detached from the tanker and moved to a police station, while another truck head was brought in to tow the tanker to a designated yard for the transfer of the remaining product. A substantial quantity of the substance, however, had already spilt.

He further indicated that firefighters were deployed to adjoining communities to ensure safety, as some of the highly inflammable product had entered nearby drains.

Injuries reported

Meanwhile, the driver and his conductor were said to have sustained minor injuries to their palms.