Residents of Buduburam in the Central Region are in mourning after a tragic blast during the Kasoa-Winneba Highway expansion project that claimed the lives of some community members.

The incident, which has left the area in shock, has prompted calls for a thorough investigation.

Central Regional Correspondent of Class 91.3 FM's Samuel Addo has more on the unfolding story.

According to him, the blast sent debris flying up to 300 metres from the construction site, causing fatalities and injuries, including people who were inside their homes.

He said numerous buildings and vehicles were also damaged by the flying debris.

Hours after the disaster, Mathias Ayegre, an administrator at the ST Gregory Catholic Hospital, confirmed that three people had died, with 42 others receiving medical treatment.

Four of the injured were transferred to the 37 Military Hospital for further care.

However, residents are disputing the official death toll, believing that the number of fatalities may be higher than reported.

The incident has left the entire community devastated, with some families grieving the loss of loved ones while others assess the damage to their homes and belongings.

The Assemblyman for the area, Mr Emmanuel Dogbe, has blamed the disaster on negligence by the contractor and the Gomoa East National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) directorate.

He is demanding a full-scale investigation into the cause of the blast.

In the aftermath, the Chief of Gomoa Buduburam, Nana Kojo Essel, urged the community to remain calm. Following a late-night meeting with the Minister of Roads and Highways, the Chief announced that the government has pledged to take responsibility for the disaster and compensate all affected individuals.

As investigations are expected to commence, the community remains in grief and shock over the tragedy that has befallen them.