Totota, Bong County — Death toll has risen to 40 in the aftermath of a gas tanker explosion in lower Bong County, authorities said on Wednesday.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
On Tuesday, a gas truck overturned about 200 meters (656 feet) in the Mulbah Hill Community in Totota.
The tanker was involved in an accident on Tuesday afternoon which caused it to veer off the road and topple on its side, the witnesses said on Tuesday.
People had rushed to the area after the accident to siphon the leaking fuel before the explosion. They were among the victims of the tragic event.
Dr Francis Kateh, Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Minister of Heath Services at the Ministry of Health, confirmed the recent death toll.
Among the deceased was one woman, three children between the ages of 6-9 years, according to Dr. Kateh.
Most of the victims were motorbike riders who were at the scene collecting the spilt fuel, eye witnesses told FrontPageAfrica.
Some people were burnt beyond recognition.
FrontPageAfrica gathered that mass burial was underway in Totota on Wednesday.
At least 83 other people were injured and are some are undergoing treatment at the Phebe Hospital, while others were transferred to the 14 Military Hospital, John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital and ELWA Hospital, according to Dr. Kateh. Go
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