According to Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer, Francis Kateh, a gas tanker explosion in north-central Liberia has resulted in at least 40 fatalities.
The incident occurred when the fuel truck crashed in Totota, Lower Bong County, late on Tuesday and subsequently exploded, causing casualties among those present at the scene. Many individuals with severe burns are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, and the death toll may increase, warned Kateh.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces heightened risks of road accidents due to poor road safety and inadequate infrastructure, making it the world’s deadliest region for such incidents, with a fatality rate three times higher than the European average, as per United Nations data. The report was provided by Reuters and edited by Alessandra Prentice.