More than 15 people have been killed and about 40 injured in southern Haiti after a tanker truck leaking petrol exploded near Miragoane in the Nippes region. Interim Prime Minister Garry Conille confirmed the casualties and stated that the government is supporting the victims and their families. The injured were taken to Sainte Therese Hospital in Miragoane for treatment, with plans to evacuate more serious cases via helicopter to other regional hospitals. Witnesses reported that the explosion occurred as people were trying to collect the leaking fuel from the truck.
This tragic incident is not the first deadly tanker truck explosion in Haiti in recent years. In 2021, a similar accident in Cap-Haitien claimed the lives of several people when a truck derailed while attempting to avoid a motorbike. Fuel shortages have been a recurring issue in Haiti, worsened by the rampant gang violence that has plagued the capital and other areas. The country continues to struggle with various challenges, including infrastructure issues and security concerns. Civil protection crews and other officials were promptly mobilized to respond to the aftermath of the explosion, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures and regulations in Haiti’s transportation and fuel storage industry.
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