More than 40 people have been killed and dozens badly burned when a petrol tanker exploded in central Liberia, the country’s chief medical officer said Thursday.
The horrific episode occurred when the tanker, after crashing and overturning into a ditch along a road in Totota, approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Monrovia, began leaking petrol.
Eyewitnesses described a distressing scene where individuals attempted to gather the spilled fuel, resorting to aggressive means such as hitting the tanker with tools to access the gasoline.
According to Aaron Massaquoi, a local witness, the driver of the tanker cautioned the gathering crowd against climbing atop the vehicle or causing damage to its tank.
However, some disregarded the warning, even using tools like screwdrivers to puncture holes in the tank.
Identifying the victims has been an arduous task due to the severe burns they sustained, noted Liberia’s chief medical officer Francis Kateh, who mentioned that efforts were underway to determine the number of missing persons by conducting door-to-door checks.
Liberia, ranked as the tenth poorest country globally, grapples with significant poverty, with more than half of its five million inhabitants living in dire conditions.
President George Weah, expressing heartfelt condolences, extended sympathies to the affected families. Initially reported as approximately 15 casualties and 30 injuries, the death toll surged to over 40 as more details emerged.
Prince B. Mulbah, Liberia’s deputy inspector general for police, recounted the magnitude of the devastation, citing numerous individuals suffering severe burns. Reports indicated that locals were attempting to collect the leaked petrol when the explosion occurred.
The toll of the injured includes children and a pregnant woman, stated Cynthia Blapooh, a local health official. Efforts to save lives and provide medical aid involved transporting numerous injured individuals to various hospitals, as confirmed by a statement from the presidential office.
President Weah pledged full support to health authorities, endorsing efforts to reinforce manpower and resources necessary to mitigate the aftermath of this tragic incident.
