The death toll from a massive explosion at a gas station in Accra, Ghana, has risen to 150 people, according to President John Mahama, said Thursday night.

The explosion marks the worst disaster to have hit the country in West African in more than ten years, according to Reuters Africa.

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The Ghana gas station explosion occurred Wednesday, after people went to the station and nearby shops in central Accra, Ghana to seek shelter from torrential rains.

The massive explosion was set off by floods sweeping into a fire near the station, also setting neighboring buildings ablaze, officials said.

The nation will reportedly observe three days of mourning in light of the disaster. The government will also be distributing the equivalent of $12 million in relief operations and damage repairs for destroyed infrastructure, President Mahama told journalists before going off to an emergency meeting.

The death toll was 73 prior to the president's announcement.

According to reports, the area of the huge blast contains heavy traffic, with residences, offices as well as several banks. There are also multiple bus terminals found in the area which connect it to the rest of Accra.

After the petrol station's massive explosion, firefighters as well as members of the public tried to douse the fire and rescue survivors, according to NBC News.

Early Thursday, news footage appeared showing corpses being piled into a pickup truck. There were also charred bodies seemingly trapped among debris.

While rescuers tried to rescue survivors and recover bodies, their efforts were hampered by floodwater surrounding the area. A morgue near 37 Military Hospital has already reached its capacity, officials said

Mahama made the visit to the disaster site in daylight. He called the death toll "catastrophic" and gave families of the victims his condolences.

"Steps will be taken to ensure that disastrous floods and their attendant deaths do not occur again," Mahama said.

The government's failures when it comes to the country's infrastructure will likely be criticized more due to the deaths from the explosion, reported The Globe and Mail.

Torrential rains are common in the country in June, but drainage systems in Accra reportedly remain insufficient.

Due to heavy flooding, many drivers have abandoned their vehicles in Accra's roads. On Thursday morning, the Education Ministry has instructed all children who have not left for school to stay in their homes.

Apart from the floods, the city is currently battling an energy crisis which has brought 48-hour blackouts. This has caused large-scale demonstrations involving a wide array of citizens including local movie stars as well as blue-collar workers.

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