CBRN event in Ghana on Tue 7th April 2026

Central Regional Disaster Management Committee has urged residents of Mankessim, Baifikrom and its surrounding communities to follow safety guidelines following a chlorine gas leak at the Baifikrom Water Treatment Plant in the Central Region. The central regional director of NADMO, Emmanuel Kwesi Dawood Mensah, said the situation has been brought under control, though technical teams remain on-site to fully contain and neutralise the leak. According to a report from adomonline.com on Tuesday April 7, 2026, response teams have been deployed following the incident. Personnel from the Ghana Water Company Limited, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Health Service, NADMO Central, and the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly are expected to guide residents to avert possible health issues from the gas leakage. Officials have indicated that chlorine gas is heavier than air and tends to settle in low-lying areas, increasing the risk for residents in such locations. Meanwhile, residents have been advised to move away from areas with strong bleach-like odour immediately to higher grounds or relocate in the direction of the wind to reduce exposure. Authorities have also urged residents who cannot evacuate to remain indoors and seal any openings to minimise the inhalation of the gas. NADMO calls for strict implementation of safety laws – Abu Ramadan They also cautioned against staying in valleys, trenches, or basements where the gas can easily settle. Health officials have warned that exposure to chlorine gas can lead to symptoms such as eye irritation, blurred vision, skin redness, persistent coughing, and difficulty in breathing. According to them, affected persons should rinse their eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes, wash any exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water, and move into fresh air immediately if breathing becomes uncomfortable. Medical teams at the Mankessim Catholic Hospital, along with other nearby health facilities, have been placed on standby to respond to potential cases. Residents experiencing any of these symptoms have been strongly advised to seek prompt medical attention. The Disaster Management Committee has also appealed for calm among residents, stressing the need to avoid the immediate vicinity of the treatment plant to allow emergency teams to carry out their work without obstruction. NADMO officials, supported by Disaster Volunteer Groups, have been deployed to assist residents and ensure that movement within affected areas remains orderly. Authorities say they are working to secure and isolate the affected chlorine cylinders, adding that further updates will be communicated as the situation develops. SO/VPO Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe on Ghana's past, present and the road ahead