According to a senior police source, a catastrophic explosion at an oil terminal in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, early on Monday left 84 people injured and claimed at least eight deaths.
The incident led to mayhem in the administrative district of Kaloum; emergency personnel contained the ensuing fire.
According to a witness who spoke with Reuters, the explosion happened at the country’s main oil terminal and sent shockwaves through the downtown area, breaking windows of surrounding homes and forcing hundreds of people to flee.
Firefighters arrived on the site quickly and battled thick black smoke rising into the sky and enormous flames. A number of tanker trucks were escorted by police and military as they left the depot.
Despite not being an oil producer, Guinea is dependent on imported refined goods, which are primarily kept in the Kaloum terminal before being transported by trucks throughout the country. It’s yet unclear how much of the terminal has been damaged.
Interestingly, mining companies use Guinea’s tiny oil store in Kamsar, which is situated north of Conakry.
The cataclysmic event left behind a significant column of smoke and leftover flames until the fire eventually came under control later in the day.
In a statement, the administration acknowledged the unfortunate event’s possible impact on the public and voiced deep worry over it. To find out what caused the explosion and who is responsible, an official inquiry is scheduled to begin.
“The Government is deeply concerned about this event, recognizing its widespread implications. Investigations will be launched to determine the origin of this incident,” the government statement declared.
After the devastating explosion at the Conakry oil port on Monday, authorities ordered the public to stay indoors and declared the closure of schools. As investigations into the events leading up to the sad incident continue, the situation is being monitored.
