A devastating fuel truck explosion in the southern peninsula of Haiti has resulted in at least 25 fatalities and left numerous survivors with severe burns. The incident occurred on Saturday morning near the coastal city of Miragoane in the Nippes department. According to local media, the blast has caused significant disruption in the area, further exacerbating the region’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Explosion Causes Many Casualties
The explosion occurred around 7 a.m. local time. Reports said 16 bodies were burned which is beyond recognition. Radio RFM said 25 were dead, and nearly 40 were taken to the hospital with serious burns. Haiti’s Prime Minister, Garry Conille, went to see the scene and said some of the worst cases of injury were evacuated by helicopter to obtain medical treatment. He called the scene horrific and promised government support to victims and their families.

Testimonies Of Horrific Scenes
Eyewitnesses explained that a vehicle near the truck ramp into its gas tank caused the explosion. Many had congregated at the scene because there was fuel there, and later, as is the case in many developing countries, some people were injured because of that. One of them told Echo Haiti Media that people who stood close to the truck were “destroyed” by the explosion. He explained that it was hard for him to measure the number of casualties since there were so many people who collected themselves at the site.

Fuel Supply Issues And Crisis In Haiti
Fuel supplies to Miragoane have been delayed lately because trucks must be ferried across, as it avoids traveling the gang-controlled roads around Port-au-Prince. Escalating violence among gangs has left Haiti in a humanitarian crisis as most people are displaced, and face violence, and hunger. The whole country is in a state of emergency.

Victims And Medical Response
Haiti’s civil protection agency said three people, among them a 31-year-old man and two 23-year-olds, sustained burns covering 89% of their bodies. The trio is receiving treatment in Les Cayes, southern Haiti. Two of the victims have second-degree burns. The explosion happened following a similar incident, wherein 2021, at least 60 persons died trying to garner fuel from a tanker truck in Cap-Haitien.

Government And Community Actions
The Haitian government said that work was underway to address the situation and promised help for those affected, according to a visit by Prime Minister Conille to the site. The explosion highlights the serious problems that Haiti faces in terms of gang violence and infrastructure issues. As a country, there is an urgent need for more support and aid following this tragedy.