Liberia: Tanker explosion kills at least 40

According to the Liberian presidency, at least 40 people died when a fuel tanker exploded late Tuesday, December 26. In a town in the centre of the country, a vehicle lay on the road, then local residents tried to get petrol but an explosion occurred.

[Illustrative Image] Photograph taken on October 12, 2023 showing a general view of the city of Monrovia. AFP - JOHN WESSELS

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This is a scene of horror already seen in many other countries. On Tuesday, a tanker truck was involved in an accident in the town of Totota in Bong County. The truck eventually came to rest on the road, and local residents rushed to siphon off the petrol.

Witnesses described people climbing onto the truck, others with containers, trying to retrieve fuel, or still others hitting the tank with iron bars to release more liquid.

But eventually the vehicle exploded, burning dozens of people alive. Several victims were so badly affected that their bodies were no longer recognizable, dozens of others injured were transported to various hospitals in the region, some were in critical condition, raising fears of a higher and higher toll as the days went by.

The outgoing Liberian president offered his sincere condolences, speaking of deeply shocking images. George Weah called on Liberians to show solidarity with the bereaved families, before assuring the health authorities of his support to release more resources to save as many lives as possible.

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