CONAKRY, Guinea — In a devastating incident early Monday morning, at least eight people lost their lives, and 84 others sustained injuries in a powerful explosion at the sole oil terminal in Guinea’s capital, Conakry. A senior police officer confirmed the casualties, cautioning that the death toll was provisional as emergency responders worked tirelessly to contain the ensuing blaze.
The blast, which occurred at the West African nation’s only oil terminal, sent shockwaves through the Kaloum administrative district in downtown Conakry. Witnesses reported windows of nearby homes shattered, and hundreds of residents fled the area in panic, according to an account from a Reuters witness.
The explosion resulted in a massive fire, with billowing black smoke visible for miles. Firefighters rushed to the scene, battling the flames as several tanker trucks, escorted by soldiers and police, hastily left the depot.
As emergency services grappled to bring the situation under control, the government of Guinea remained silent on the incident. A spokesman for the government did not immediately respond to requests for comments, leaving the public anxious for information on the cause and potential repercussions of the tragic event.
The international community is closely monitoring developments, expressing condolences for the lives lost and solidarity with the people of Guinea during this challenging time. Investigations into the cause of the explosion are expected to commence as the nation begins to comprehend the full extent of the tragedy.
