At least eight people have died following a catastrophic fuel tanker explosion in Cameroon. The accident occurred on the road connecting Limbe and Douala.
The tragedy struck on Friday. A truck carrying over 36,000 litres of fuel lost control and crashed. The impact ignited a massive inferno that engulfed nearby homes and vehicles.
The Crash on Mutengene Hill
Authorities have reconstructed the events. They report that the disaster began when the heavy-duty truck suffered brake failure.
This occurred while the vehicle was descending Mutengene Hill. Unable to stop, the truck began an uncontrolled descent.
It finally crashed near the Likomba bridge in Tiko. The collision triggered a massive blast. Flames spread over a wide area, forcing terrified residents to flee for their lives.
Casualties and Destruction
The fire caused extensive destruction. It consumed approximately 10 houses and several vehicles.
The human toll was severe. The eight confirmed dead included men, women, and at least one child.
“We identified those we could see,” said Okwandum Samuel Ndenzen, a disaster manager for the Limbe Red Cross.
He admitted that the toll could rise. “We cannot even determine if that is all… but we searched everywhere and found nothing else.”
Many victims were burned beyond recognition. Rescuers rushed three survivors with severe injuries to Bingo Hospital. Several military personnel sustained minor injuries and received treatment at the scene.
Emergency Response
Firefighters battled the blaze throughout the day. The fire was so severe that the city of Douala dispatched an additional team to assist local responders.
The accident blocked traffic on the major national road for the entire day. Authorities had to set up a detour to ease the congestion.
Environmental Fallout
As the smoke cleared, residents of Likomba assessed the devastation.
Beyond the immediate physical damage, new concerns have emerged. Fuel runoff from the tanker has contaminated a nearby watercourse. This has raised fears of a potential health crisis in the community.
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