Ghanaian Interior Minister, Mark Woyongo, on Thursday confirmed the death of over 76 people in Accra during a fire outbreak and flood disaster at petrol station.
Woyongo said he was aware of 76 deaths, but would not give final figures until the fire and flood victims had been counted separately.
He said an explosion occurred at the petrol station in the city centre during heavy rains late Wednesday, and flames spread to nearby houses.
Woyongo said the cause of the explosion was not known.
He said a large number of people had reportedly sought shelter at the petrol station during a downpour.
Witnesses reported charred bodies at the petrol station and the bodies of flood victims scattered on some roads.
President John Mahama visited the filling station and a huge drain next to it from which were bodies were being retrieved.
The floods had swept through several areas of the capital, creating traffic jams and power cuts and forcing some employees to spend the night in their offices.
Local people blamed the flooding on residents blocking drains with garbage.
dpa/NAN.