By THE OBSERVER UG
The death toll from an explosion at an oil terminal in Conakry, Guinea, on Monday has risen to 13, according to a senior police source. The blast at the main oil terminal in the Kaloum administrative district caused significant damage, blowing out windows of nearby homes and prompting hundreds to flee. The head of civil protection, Jean Traore, reported 88 people injured. Guinea, a non-oil-producing nation, relies on imports of refined products stored in the Kaloum terminal for distribution across the country.
The cause of the explosion is unknown, and the government has announced an investigation to determine its origin and any parties responsible. The government warned that the incident’s scale “could have a direct impact on the population,” though specific details were not provided.
Firefighters managed to largely contain the blaze by Monday afternoon. Earlier, a massive fire and billowing black smoke were visible from a distance, with tanker trucks leaving the depot escorted by security personnel. In response to the incident, workers (excluding defense, security, and medical personnel) were advised to stay at home, and schools, as well as most gas stations, were closed.
Guinea has a small oil depot at the port in Kamsar, mainly used by mining firms. Concerns over a potential fuel shortage prompted residents in the town of Mamou, approximately 260 km from Conakry, to besiege gas stations, leading to an increase in gasoline prices on the black market. A liter of gasoline is reportedly being sold for 20,000 Guinean francs ($2.35), up from 12,000 Guinean francs previously.
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