SOURCE: Daily Observer Newspaper
A tanker blast has reportedly left over 14 people dead in Totota, Lower Bong County. The tragic incident occurred during the late evening hours of Tuesday, December 26, as the tanker truck carrying gasoline, labeled “God’s Willing,” overturned near the Upper Room Church and caught fire.
Eyewitnesses state that some people from the community were attempting to collect the spilled gasoline when the explosion took place, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities.
“When the tanker fell, many people came from all over the town. Some were only looking as the gas was spilling but others brought containers and were collecting the gas,” an eyewitness told the Daily Observer. “So in no time, the tanker caught fire as many people began running helter-skelter. Many people could not escape the blast.”
Another eyewitness said some of the community members could not escape the fire because they had already come in physical contact with the gasoline. “The fire ran behind plenty of people because the gas was on them. I can’t see many people surviving, but if some do, they will suffer severe burns,” he said.
The exact number of casualties remains unknown at this time. Numerous victims are currently receiving medical treatment at Phebe Hospital in Gbarnga, Bong County.
Bong County Health Officer, Dr. Cynthia Blapooh, has confirmed that there are critically ill patients, including children and a pregnant woman, receiving care. Medical professionals are doing everything possible to save the lives of the victims, Blapooh told the Daily Observer.
Police sources in Bong also disclosed late Tuesday night that about 80 victims were rushed to the Phebe hospital, one of whom died upon arrival at Phebe, two were in very critical condition and transferred to Ganta, Nimba County, and 18 others were brought to JFK in Monrovia for further treatment.