A tragic fuel truck explosion in Haiti’s southern peninsula resulted in the deaths of 24 people and left half of the 40 injured survivors with third-degree burns. Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the site near Miragoane and arranged helicopter evacuations for the most seriously injured victims, while ambulances were dispatched to assist those with severe burns and alleviate overcrowded local hospitals. The injured were mostly men, with three women and a child among them. Another 15 people sustained second-degree burns. A witness to the disaster reported that the truck’s gas tank had been punctured by another vehicle, leading to a rush of people to collect fuel, resulting in tragic consequences.
The fuel truck explosion occurred on a road in Haiti’s southern peninsula, near the coastal city of Miragoane in the department of Nippes. Prime Minister Conille described the scene as horrifying, with dozens of victims severely wounded and burned. Some of the most seriously injured victims were evacuated by helicopter to receive specialized care, while ambulances were dispatched promptly to attend to others with severe burns and alleviate pressure on overcrowded local hospitals. The government did not release any details about the identities of the deceased, but the emergency services reported that the injured were mostly men, with three women and a child among them.
The incident is reminiscent of a similar tragedy in 2021 in the city of Cap-Haitien, where at least 60 people lost their lives while attempting to collect fuel from a tanker truck. In both cases, the puncturing of the fuel truck’s gas tank led to a rush of people to the site, resulting in devastating consequences. Fuel deliveries to the Miragoane area had slowed in recent weeks due to concerns about gang-controlled highways surrounding the capital of Port-au-Prince. The spread of gangs in the capital and surrounding areas has contributed to a humanitarian crisis, with mass displacements, sexual violence, child recruitment, and widespread hunger. A state of emergency is now in place nationwide to address these urgent challenges.
The government did not disclose the identities of the deceased, but the civil protection agency reported on the conditions of three critically injured individuals being treated in a hospital in Les Cayes. This tragic incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Haiti, including the impact of gang violence on fuel deliveries and the devastating consequences of fuel-related accidents. Prime Minister Conille’s swift response to the tragedy highlights the government’s commitment to providing assistance to those affected by the explosion and taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. The humanitarian crisis in Haiti, exacerbated by gang violence, poses significant challenges to the country’s stability and security, requiring urgent attention and support from the international community.
