Haiti: the latest death toll from the tanker explosion rises to 90

A woman, killed in the explosion of a tanker truck in Cap-Haitien, is buried the next day, December 15, 2021. AP - Odelyn Joseph

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The explosion of a tanker truck on December 14 threw the city of Cap-Haitien into mourning.

What started as a traffic accident turned into a tragedy when dozens of local residents rushed to the vehicle to retrieve the precious fuel.

The toll grew even worse over the weekend and at the start of the week: it reports 90 deaths.

A state funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, December 21.

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With our correspondent in Port-au-Prince,

Several people seriously injured in

have died in recent days.

Burned for some over 80% and even 95% of the body, they had little chance of survival.

This Monday, December 20, a week after the tragedy, many patients are still hospitalized.

And for them, Médecins sans frontières speaks of several months of care.

The NGO, which dispatched an emergency team to Cap-Haitien, says it is ready to support the government.

But it also calls for the support of other partners, both financial and technical, because Haitian medical structures will not be able to help these physically and psychologically affected people on their own.

The city of Cap-Haitien will honor the memory of the victims this Tuesday, December 21 by organizing a national funeral in its cathedral.

The deputy mayor, Patrick Almonor, indicated that only 25 coffins will be installed in the Notre-Dame church, the majority of victims, killed instantly, having been quickly buried on the very day of the disaster.

“Surviving and recovering from a severe burn is a difficult process that requires specialized medical attention, often for weeks or months.”

adds Jean-Gilbert Ndong, #MSF medical coordinator.

#Haiti

- MSF France (@MSF_france) December 14, 2021

► To read also: Haiti: how to avoid new tragedies like that of Cap-Haitien tomorrow?

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