A fuel tanker explosion that occurred after a collision caused the deaths of 91 and injuries to over 100 people in Sierra Leone’s capital, according to local authorities.
After a bus collided with the tanker, the explosion occurred in the morning in Wellington (a suburb to the east from Freetown). People rushed to grab fuel from the tanker before the explosion, according to reports.
Although the government is yet to confirm the deaths, the Freetown manager of Freetown’s central state morgue said that it received 91 bodies after the blast.
Amara Jambai, deputy health minister to the capital said that 100 more casualties were admitted at clinics and hospitals across the city.
According to the local authorities and the central morgue, 91 people died and more than 100 were injured in capital of Sierra Leone when a fuel tanker burst following a collision. Pictured: People are seen gathered near the flames following the explosion. This photo was shared by Julius Maada (Sierra Leone’s President).
In the wake of an explosion at Freetown’s fuel tanker on November 6, 2021, people look upon a heap of burned motorbikes. PMB Wellington Industrial Estate, east of Freetown was hit by a fuel tanker explosion on November 6, 2021. More than 90 people were killed.
Victims were people who had flocked in order to get fuel leaking out of the vehicle. Yvonne Aki–Sawyerr was the mayor of the port. Later, the post was removed to clarify the statement.
Brima Bureh-Sesay, Head of the National Disaster Management Agency shared a live video online showing the aftermath. “It is a horrible, terrible accident.
Images of several victims with severe burns were shared on social media. Fire engulfed nearby houses and shops, igniting them. Reuters could not immediately verify these images.
The Associated Press captured video of a massive fireball that burned in the night sky. Many survivors cried out in pain after it happened.
An employee at the hospital that treated the victims confirmed the deaths to new agencies. She also said that he has cared for many children and women with serious injuries.
Witnesses say that after an accident on the road, a vehicle caught on fire and set itself alight at a gas station.
These flames spread throughout the region, eventually igniting people on nearby roads and in their cars.
Following Saturday’s United Nations climate negotiations in Scotland, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh from Sierra Leone arrived at the scene on Saturday.
He shared an image from the scene and deplored the “horrendous” loss of lives.
Although the government is yet to confirm the number of deaths from the blast, the Freetown manager of the state central morgue said that it received 91 bodies after the event. Image: After the explosion, people look at vehicles that were badly damaged.
Many images shared online show many victims badly burnt lying in the street as flames blaze through nearby shops and homes
Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, vice president of Iran visited two hospitals over the night and assured that the National Disaster Management Agency in Sierra Leone and the other emergency agencies will ‘work tirelessly’ to deal with the situation.
On his Facebook page, he stated that “We are all deeply disturbed by this national disaster, and it’s indeed a difficult period for our country,”
Numerous people were killed by tanker truck accidents in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2019 a tanker explosion killed 85 people in Eastern Tanzania, and 50 in an identical disaster occurred in Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to the mayor, the full extent of damage sustained in Freetown is not known. Police and her deputy also attended the site to help disaster managers.
President Julius Maada Bio sent a tweet with the following words: “My deep sympathies to families who have lost loved one’s and those who are maimed as a consequence,”
“My government will support the families affected by this tragedy.”