Nuclear Impact Analysis · Ghana

Is Accra safe from a nuclear strike?

We modelled the most plausible strategic targets around Accra and simulated blast, thermal, radiation and fallout effects against its 4,200,000 metro residents.

100/100
MINIMAL RISK

Accra city centre sits 407.4 km from Lagos, the most plausible strategic target in the area (low targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 100 kt airburst.

Estimated survival chance at city centre: 99% · Estimated metro fatalities: 282.9K, injuries: 340.7K

Run the interactive simulation for Accra →

What a strike on Lagos would mean

A 100 kt detonation produces a fireball 416 m across in radius. Reinforced concrete fails out to 1.6 km (20 psi). Most residential buildings collapse within 3.2 km (5 psi), and windows shatter dangerously out to 7.2 km (1 psi). Anyone in line of sight within 4.4 km suffers third-degree burns from the thermal pulse.

An airburst maximises blast damage but produces minimal local fallout, so for Accra the dominant risks are blast and thermal effects rather than radiation.

Most plausible targets near Accra

TargetTypeDistanceAssumed yieldConfidence
Lagoscity407 km100 ktlow
Madridcity3887 km300 ktlow
Nairobicity4181 km100 ktlow
Romegovernment4227 km300 ktmedium
Cairocity4266 km150 ktlow

Key blast radii (100 kt airburst)

EffectRadiusWhat happens
Fireball416 mComplete vaporisation
20 psi blast1.6 kmHardened structures destroyed, ~100% fatalities
5 psi blast3.2 kmMost buildings collapse, widespread fatalities
3rd-degree burns4.4 kmFull-thickness burns to exposed skin
500 rem radiation1.9 kmLethal dose without medical care
1 psi blast7.2 kmWindow breakage, light damage, glass injuries

How Accra can prepare

With a population density of 4,300 people/km², Accra's outcome would hinge on the first hour. The guidance is identical everywhere: get inside, stay inside, stay tuned. A basement or the core of a large concrete building cuts fallout exposure by a factor of 10 or more, and radiation decays fast — dose rates fall ~90% within the first 7 hours and ~99% within two days.

Check your exact address in Accra →
Model disclaimer: These are research-grade estimates from open scaling laws (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977), not predictions. Actual outcomes depend on burst height, weapon choice, weather, terrain and sheltering. In any real emergency follow official civil-defence guidance.

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