At least 40 people died when a fuel tanker exploded. According to Liberian Deputy Health Minister Francis Kateh, such diseases occurred in north-central Liberia.
The tragedy occurred last Tuesday in Totota village where the tanker truck overturned on the road and people went to the spot to collect the petrol leaking from the vehicle which suddenly exploded.
Kateh noted that the explosion claimed at least 40 lives and injured 83, including a woman and three children between six and nine years old.
The number of victims may increase
The State Secretary warned that the number of victims could increase.
Witnesses confirmed that some people in the community were trying to steal fuel from the truck when the explosion occurred.
“When the tanker crashed, many people came from all over the city.
“Some just looked at the fuel spill, but others brought containers and collected the fuel,” an unidentified witness told local newspaper the Daily Observer.
“In a short time, the tanker caught fire and many people fled. Many people could not escape the explosion,” this source added.
Liberia’s outgoing President George Weah regretted the incident in a statement and expressed his “deepest condolences” to the families of those who died.
He also called on the country to work with affected families, the Liberian Red Cross and government agencies to “assist in efforts” to treat the injured.
Poor road safety and weak infrastructure have made sub-Saharan Africa the deadliest region in the world for road accidents, with a death rate three times the European average, according to United Nations data . (EFE and Reuters)
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Source: La Neta Neta
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
