At least 15 Killed, 40 Injured in Devastating Gas Truck Blast in Haiti
September 14, 2024, 4:20 PM (GMT-5)
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The latest tragic incident to take place in Haiti is an explosion that claimed the lives of at least 15 people and left 40 others with severe injuries on Saturday. The incident occurred when a tanker truck carrying gasoline overturned and exploded in Miragoane, a city of about 60,000 people.
Prime Minister Garry Conille shared the devastating news in a post on X, confirming the figures, though earlier reports indicated 17 fatalities.
The explosion comes at a time when Haiti is grappling with widespread fuel shortages, exacerbated by gang violence that hampers the importation of essential goods. Hospitals in Haiti, already under strain and poorly equipped, are now struggling to treat the victims, many of whom have suffered severe burns.
The government has mobilized emergency services, including civil protection, public health, and social affairs, to address the crisis. Eight vehicles, including four ambulances, have been deployed to assist in evacuations, while a special flight is being coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières and the World Health Organization to transfer victims to Port-au-Prince for further treatment.
Prime Minister Conille expressed his sorrow in French, emphasizing the government’s commitment to aiding the victims and their families. “The government stands in solidarity with all the victims and their families and is planning evacuation by helicopter,” he stated.
This tragedy follows Jamaica’s recent decision to send 24 police officers and soldiers to Haiti to help combat ongoing crime and violence in the neighbouring country. While unrelated to the explosion, the presence of foreign assistance highlights the numerous challenges Haiti continues to face, from natural disasters to social and economic turmoil.
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