A tanker truck explosion in central Liberia has left more than 40 people feared dead, according to the country’s chief medical officer, Dr. Francis Kateh on Wednesday.
The incident occurred after the tanker, carrying gasoline, crashed and overturned into a ditch near Totota, approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Monrovia, the capital.
Dr. Kateh expressed the difficulty in determining the exact number of victims as some individuals had been reduced to ashes.
He estimated that over 40 people lost their lives in the tragic event. Authorities had initially reported a death toll of 15, with at least 30 individuals injured as locals gathered at the crash site.
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Prince B. Mulbah, deputy inspector general for the Liberia National Police, noted that many people suffered burns in the incident.
Another police officer, Malvin Sackor, mentioned that after the crash, some locals began collecting leaking gas when the tanker suddenly exploded, resulting in casualties.
The police are currently in the process of compiling a comprehensive count of the injured and deceased.
An eyewitness from Totota, Aaron Massaquoi, shared that individuals had climbed on top of the truck to access the gas.
Despite warnings from the truck driver to avoid such actions, some people resorted to damaging the tanker, leading to the tragic explosion.
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