At least 17 people were killed in a deadly explosion in Ghana on Thursday that occurred when a motorcycle collided with a vehicle carrying explosives, media reported. The explosives were being delivered to a nearby mine run by Chirano Gold Mines, according to a press officer for the company, Kwabena Owusu-Ampratwum, reported CNN.

Apiate, a small town in western Ghana, seems to be destroyed completely by the blast. Kwadwo Bempah, who works in the vicinity and heard the explosion said that nearly every building in the region has collapsed, trapping humans and animals beneath the wreckage. He said that the dead bodies were everywhere and added, "It was a real tragedy for Ghana."