PHOTO: (L-R) The deadly carbon monoxide-spewing minigenerator and one of the victims covered
By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- Three persons are reported dead in Foequelleh Town, Panta District in the central Bong County, over 173 kilometers from Monrovia.
The incident happened over the weekend Forequelleh is on Liberia’s border with Guinea in the northwestern region, but the report has just emerged.
According to science, “Carbon monoxide (chemical formula CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, flammable gas that is slightly less dense than air. Carbon monoxide consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom. It is the simplest molecule of the oxocarbon family.”
The victims, who had gone to clean a local well in the Town, reportedly got suffocated by Carbon Monoxide from a Water Pump Machine that was used in the well to reduce the water level.
Those reported dead include: George David age 23, Kertuah Nelmah 30 and Gabriel Mulbah, the rescuer, 28.
According to eyewitnesses, one of the victims was initially seen holding the machine in the middle of the hole while his colleague was at the bottom controlling the pipe for the drying of the water in the well.
The well in which the generator was hanged
However, after some minutes of work, the eyewitnesses continued, the guy handling the water Pump Machine reportedly dropped in the well along with the instrument, as a result of the smoke that darkened the entire area.
In an attempt to rescue his friends upon hearing the information, Gabriel Mulbah, who was practicing on the football field immediately, entered the well but he unfortunately died during the process.
The report added that the decision to hang the machine in the well was prompted after the guys have realized that the pipe was short to reach the Water.
The three victims were pronounced dead by health workers at the Phebe referral Hospital in Suakoko, Bong County.
Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police Bong-Detachment headed by Commander Fasu V. Sheriff has launched an investigation into the matter.
The incident occurred on Sunday, April 24, at 11:00Am.
The situation is strange in Bong County but it has happened many times in and around the Liberian capital, Monrovia in recent years..
Meanwhile, the unfortunate situation has caused fear among locals in the county.
Many here in Bong County, who spoke on major talk shows, consoled the bereaved families over the lost.
They have been advising others to be cautious of handling machines producing carbon monoxide chemicals.