Over 40 Feared Dead After Liberia Tanker Crash
Muhammad Irfan Published December 28, 2023 | 08:50 AM
Monrovia, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Dec, 2023) More than 40 people were feared dead when a tanker truck exploded after crashing in central Liberia, the country's chief medical officer told local media on Wednesday.
The tanker carrying gasoline crashed and tipped into a ditch along a road in Totota, about 130 kilometres (80 miles) from the capital Monrovia.
Dr Francis Kateh told local broadcaster Super Bongese tv it was difficult to determine the number of victims because some had been reduced to ashes but he estimated that more than 40 people were killed in the incident.
"We have our team going from home to home to check those that are missing," he told AFP.
Police earlier put the death toll at 15 and said at least 30 people were injured as locals gathered at the scene.
"There were lots of people that got burned," said Prince B.
Mulbah, deputy inspector general for the Liberia National Police.
Another police officer, Malvin Sackor, said that after the crash, some locals had begun to take the leaking gas when the tanker exploded, killing some and wounding others.
He said that the police were still gathering the total number of injured and killed.
An eyewitness from Totota, Aaron Massaquoi, told AFP that "people climbed all on top of the truck taking the gas, while some of them had irons hitting the tanker for it to burst for them to get gas."
"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."
Recent Stories
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
Pakistan, Qatar agree to further expand trade, investment ties
Sindh cabinet approves Rs177.5m to strengthen, mobilize various wings of police
Faisal Karim Kundi takes oath as new KP Governor
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Chaudhry seeks more vibrant ..
Tahaffuz Manzil Foster Home providing care & support to homeless children
PCB proposes April 7 -May 20 window; tweaks in rules for HBL PSL 2025
Field hospitals now operational across Punjab: Azma Bukhari
More Stories From World
-
Newcomer Bellingham Madrid's driving force in La Liga conquest
3 seconds ago -
Girona players have made history, says coach after reaching Champions League
11 seconds ago -
Reus begins farewell tour while Bayern stumble in Stuttgart
20 minutes ago -
Real Madrid La Liga title win in numbers
40 minutes ago -
Real Madrid clinch Liga title after Girona beat Barca
1 hour ago -
Spain and Argentina at loggerheads in diplomatic spat
1 hour ago
-
Narvaez in the pink after foiling Pogacar to opening Giro stage
1 hour ago -
Scholz says attacks on deputies 'threaten' democracy
1 hour ago -
Narvaez in the pink after foiling Pogacar to opening Giro stage
2 hours ago -
Death toll in southern Brazil flood rises to 58
2 hours ago -
Real Madrid put one hand on title with Cadiz win
2 hours ago -
London mayor Khan wins historic third term as Tories routed in local polls
2 hours ago