At Least 24 Killed in Fuel Tanker Explosion in Haiti

On September 15, it was reported that the death toll from a fuel tanker explosion in Haiti has climbed to at least 24. Local authorities confirmed that dozens of others sustained injuries in the incident.

Reports indicate that many victims suffered burns over at least 80% of their bodies. The tragic event took place on Saturday in the commune of Miragoane, approximately 60 miles from the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Witnesses have stated that the tanker collided with another vehicle, and the explosion ensued as individuals rushed to collect the spilled fuel. According to Spanish broadcaster RTVE, the driver had warned those nearby to maintain their distance from the tanker before the explosion occurred. The resulting fire from the explosion destroyed around 20 cars and motorcycles.

“It’s a horrible scene we’ve just witnessed,” said Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille at the Port-au-Prince airport, where some of the injured victims were taken for medical assistance.

This recent tragedy is not an isolated incident; Haiti has a history of similar multi-fatality accidents involving fuel tankers. In 2021, a comparable explosion resulted in the deaths of more than 60 individuals.

Haiti has been grappling with ongoing political instability and violence for several years. Prime Minister Conille has reportedly been striving to restore order since the inception of the new government three months ago. The situation in the country is dire, with nearly 580,000 people displaced due to conflict and close to five million citizens facing severe hunger, as stated by the United Nations.