Haiti, Sep 15 (V7N) – A tragic fuel tanker explosion in southwestern Haiti on Saturday claimed the lives of 24 people, according to authorities. Witnesses reported that many of the victims were attempting to collect fuel leaking from the vehicle when it exploded.
 
The blast occurred in the city of Miragoane, injuring approximately 40 others, some of whom suffered severe burns over large portions of their bodies. Emmanuel Pierre, head of Haiti's civil protection agency, confirmed the rising death toll, which increased from an earlier count of 16 after more charred bodies were discovered at the scene.
 
The injured were taken to Sainte Therese Hospital in Miragoane, located roughly 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Six of the most critically injured were later transferred to specialist hospitals in the capital, while 13 others, suffering burns over 80% of their bodies, were unable to be moved due to the severity of their conditions.
 
Haiti’s interim Prime Minister, Garry Conille, convened an emergency government meeting in response to the disaster, according to Pierre.
 
The country continues to grapple with long-standing instability, with much of the capital effectively controlled by criminal gangs. Earlier this month, on September 5, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited Haiti, pledging $45 million in aid and urging the need for elections, which have not been held since 2016. Blinken also expressed concerns about the sustainability of the Kenya-led police force deployed to stabilize the country, which has been operating in Haiti for the past two months.
 
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