Bong County Mourns following a deadly tanker explosion in Totota
Tuesday, December 26, 2023, saw a horrible event that left 15 persons dead and 36 injured. The folks of Bong County are still in shock and mourning.
In Totota, lower Bong County, a fuel tanker slid off the road and landed on its side, causing the accident, according to the police. Ignorant of the impending danger, a few people hurried to the scene to siphon petroleum from the truck. The tanker exploded a short while later, enveloping the surrounding area in smoke and fire.
Witnesses claimed that the explosion was so strong that it could be heard for kilometers. In addition to creating more damage and distress, the fire also spread to neighboring residences and cars.
The only referral hospital in the county, Phebe Hospital, received a large number of the victims. But the sheer volume of patients—some of whom were in serious condition—quickly overloaded the facility.
The Bong County Health Officer, Dr. Cynthia Blapooh, stated that the facility was overcrowded and needed to summon additional medical personnel. To handle the emergency, she also requested additional supplies and equipment.
“Unfortunately, we still have a lot of critically ill patients, including children and a pregnant woman, a total of 36 people”; Dr. Blapooh to Journalists in Bong County.
The identification of several of the victims, who were severely charred, presented another difficulty for the hospital. To verify their identities, a few of the deceased’s relatives had to rely on DNA testing.
George Weah, the president of Liberia, sent his sympathies to the families of the deceased and proclaimed three days of national mourning. In addition, he pledged to support the impacted communities and survivors materially and financially.
Samuel Wlue, the minister of transportation, announced that the government would look into what caused the disaster and take action to stop it from happening again. Additionally, he warned the public against stealing fuel from tankers or other cars engaged in collisions because doing so puts their lives and property at grave risk.
The incident has sparked concerns about the nation’s fuel transportation laws and regulations, as well as the readiness and ability of the healthcare system to handle large numbers of victims.
Bong County, home to more than 300,000 people, is among the most developed and populated counties in Liberia. In addition, it is the location of several natural resources, including diamonds, gold, and iron ore. The county has been recuperating from the devastation caused by the Ebola outbreak and the civil conflict that occurred in the previous few decades.
Liberian-born Emmanuel Orlind Cooper is an accomplished multimedia journalist with extensive experience covering news and stories on a variety of media platforms. Orlind's work frequently demonstrates his profound grasp of the region and its complexity, given his Liberian heritage.
Now residing in Woodbridge, Virginia, he keeps connecting with readers across continents with his perceptive journalism and sharing his viewpoint. He is well-respected in the sector because of his unwavering commitment to honesty and morality, which sets him apart in the field.
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