A deadly fuel tanker explosion claimed at least eight lives on Friday along the busy highway connecting Limbe to Douala in Cameroon.
Fire crews battled intense flames for hours after the tanker, carrying over 36,000 litres of fuel, burst into flames following the crash. Officials said the incident began when the truck’s brakes failed while descending Mutengene Hill, sending it out of control before it finally crashed near the Likomba Bridge in the town of Tiko.
The powerful blast sent fire spreading across a wide area, forcing nearby residents to flee for safety. Around ten houses and several vehicles were destroyed by the flames.
Those who lost their lives included men, women, and at least one child. Many of the victims were burned beyond recognition.
“We identified the bodies we could see,” said Okwandum Samuel Ndenzen, disaster manager for the Limbe Red Cross. “It’s hard to say if that is everyone, because some vehicles are still there, but we searched thoroughly and found no others.”
Three people who survived with severe injuries were rushed to Bingo Hospital, while military personnel with minor injuries received treatment at the scene.
Due to the scale of the fire, authorities in Douala sent additional firefighters to assist. Traffic on the national road was blocked for most of the day, with a detour later created to reduce congestion.
As the fire died down, residents of Likomba were left counting their losses after the sudden disaster.
Meanwhile, fuel spilled into a nearby waterway, sparking concerns about possible environmental and public health risks.
