At Least 50 Killed In Haiti Gas Tanker Explosion
Umer Jamshaid Published December 14, 2021 | 07:51 PM
At least 50 people were killed when a gas tanker exploded in the Haitian city of Cap-Haitien on Tuesday morning, according to a local official, with overwhelmed local medics saying the toll was feared to rise
PortauPrince, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Dec, 2021 ) :At least 50 people were killed when a gas tanker exploded in the Haitian city of Cap-Haitien on Tuesday morning, according to a local official, with overwhelmed local medics saying the toll was feared to rise.
"I saw on the scene between 50 and 54 people burned alive," Deputy Mayor Patrick Almonor said. "It is impossible to identify them." Almonor also said "about 20" houses in the area were set ablaze by the explosion.
"We can't yet give details on the number of victims inside the houses," he said.
Nearby Justinien University Hospital was overwhelmed with patients as the injured were transported to the facility.
"We don't have the ability to treat the number of seriously burned people," a nurse told AFP.
"I'm afraid we won't be able to save them all," she said.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry said the explosion left "around 40 people" dead and dozens injured, as he decreed a period of national mourning.
"I learned with sadness and emotion the terrible news of the explosion of a gas tanker last night in Cap-Haitien," he tweeted.
"Three days of national mourning will be decreed throughout the land, in memory of the victims of this tragedy which has devastated the whole Haitian nation," he said.
Ariel said field hospitals would be rapidly deployed to help care for the blast victims.
According to Almonor, it appeared the truck driver lost control as it swerved to avoid a motorcycle taxi and the tanker flipped over.
Almonor said fuel spilled onto the road and pedestrians rushed to collect the tanker's gas, which is currently in short supply as Haiti grapples with a severe fuel shortage caused by the tightening grip of criminal gangs on the capital Port-au-Prince.
The Caribbean nation has never produced enough electricity to meet the needs of the whole population. Even in well-off parts of the capital, the state-run Haiti electric utility only provides, at most, a few hours of power a day.
Those who can afford it rely on pricey generators, which are no help in the face of the severe fuel shortage caused by gangs blocking access to the country's oil terminals in the capital and its outskirts.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Dubai Mum Becomes the First Ever Pakistani Woman to Climb 11 of the 14 Highest M ..
Over 37% Tobacco tax increase suggested to save lives, boost revenue
Mohsin Naqvi has offered a substantial incentive, pledging $100,000 to every pla ..
Citizens join Al Barsha Police in “An Hour for Dubai” Initiative
Art can be a powerful tool to relieve stress, Experts say at Sharjah Children’ ..
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 5 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 05 May 2024
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
More Stories From World
-
Football: Italian Serie A table
2 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Madrid Open result
2 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A results - collated
2 hours ago -
Bodies in Mexico presumed to be missing surfers have bullet wounds to head
2 hours ago -
Rublev battles past Auger-Aliassime to claim Madrid Open title
3 hours ago -
Cesar Luis Menotti, football romantic who led Argentina to first World Cup
3 hours ago
-
Football: German Bundesliga table
3 hours ago -
Former Argentina World Cup winning coach Menotti dead at 85 - federation
3 hours ago -
Leverkusen extend unbeaten run to 48 games with win at Frankfurt
3 hours ago -
Rejuvenated Liverpool dent Tottenham's Champions League dreams
3 hours ago -
Furious Moyes blasts West Ham flops after Chelsea run riot
3 hours ago -
Teenager turns self in after attack on German politician
3 hours ago