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+---- Thread: Explosion of a gasoline tanker in Haiti (/thread-19846.html)
Explosion of a gasoline tanker in Haiti - pbrower2a - 12-15-2021
On 14 December 2021, a fuel tanker truck exploded in the Samari neighborhood of Cap-Haïtien, the capital city of the Haitian department of Nord, killing at least 75 people and injuring more than 100.[1][2] Haiti, hit with an economic crisis fueled by an earthquake four months earlier, was unable to adequately treat victims of the explosion, with hospitals undersupplied and in disarray.
At the time of the incident, Haiti was in the midst of a fuel shortage due to gangs seizing control of the fuel distribution.[3] Many gangs have hijacked fuel trucks, kidnapped their drivers and blocked fuel distribution ports.[4] The fuel shortage has caused hospitals, schools, and businesses, who were relying on gasoline generators due to Haiti's unreliable electric grid, to shut down.[5][6] Fuel trucks resumed deliveries only a month before the incident when G9 gang leader Jimmy Chérizier allowed trucks to pass into Port-au-Prince.[7][8]
Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, was also hit by an economic crisis.[4] A few months before, after President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated, an earthquake that killed 2,248 people caused US$1.5 billion in damage. After this, gangs began to take charge as aid distribution was lackluster, and looting became rampant.[4][9][10]
A fuel tanker carrying 9,000 US gallons (34,000 l) of fuel, in an attempt to avoid a motorcycle, overturned and began spilling fuel.[7] The driver of the truck exited the vehicle and warned bystanders not to approach. Victims of the explosion had been attempting to collect fuel by hitting the tank with hammers when it exploded, with fuel stored in houses nearby worsening the extent of the explosion.[1] Seventy-five people were killed by the explosion and more than 100 people were injured.[6][5] The blast also set 50 homes on fire, damaged businesses and charred vehicles.[7][11] Firefighters had been dispatched to the area, but due to water shortages had to call aid from airport fire services.[4]
After the explosion, several victims were injured due to trampling.[5]
Ambulances took up to five hours to arrive, and 15 victims had to be airlifted.[6][4] Victims were sent to smaller, less equipped hospitals as the largest hospital in the city had shut down in November due to being attacked by bandits. These hospitals were overwhelmed and were unable to handle the victims, as they lacked basic supplies, with some victims being placed on the floor of the hospital due to the lack of hospital beds.[6][5] Field hospitals were also set up in the city.[4] UNICEF sent medical equipment to the city for burn victims.[11] President and Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced three days of mourning in the country.[7]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap-Ha%C3%AFtien_fuel_tanker_explosion