Summary:
Over 40 feared dead as a gasoline tanker crashes in Totota, Liberia, exploding and leading to a tragic loss of life.
A devastating incident unfolded in central Liberia as a tanker truck, laden with gasoline, crashed and erupted in flames near Totota, approximately 130 kilometers from the capital, Monrovia.
The country’s chief medical officer, Dr. Francis Kateh, expressed the difficulty in assessing the full extent of the tragedy, with some victims reduced to ashes. Initial reports suggested over 40 fatalities.
“We have our team going from home to home to check those that are missing,” Dr. Kateh informed AFP, highlighting the challenges in accurately determining the toll. Initially, the police reported 15 deaths, with at least 30 individuals injured as locals gathered at the crash site.
Prince B. Mulbah, deputy inspector general for the Liberia National Police, recounted the horrifying scene, stating, “There were lots of people that got burned.”
Malvin Sackor, another police officer, revealed that some locals attempted to collect leaking gas when the tanker suddenly exploded, causing fatalities and injuries. The police were still in the process of compiling the total number of casualties.
An eyewitness, Aaron Massaquoi from Totota, shared a harrowing account, describing how people swarmed the truck, attempting to extract gas.
Despite warnings from the tanker driver, chaos ensued. “People were all around the truck, and the driver of the truck told them that the gas that was spilling they could take that,” Massaquoi said.
“He told them not to climb on top of the tanker, and that they should stop hitting the tanker… but some people were even using screwdrivers to put holes on the tank.” The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with such incidents and the critical need for public safety awareness.