More than 60 deaths have been confirmed in a terrible accident in the Haitian city of Cap-Haïtien. According to multiple eye-witness reports, the vehicle had stopped due to mechanical issues and began leaking gas shortly after. Excited spectators soon noticed and began collecting the fuel when it suddenly ignited causing the explosion.
The tragedy is said to have left dozens injured and the nation in utter shock. Circulating images showed bodies covered with sheets as onlookers tried to assist officials. More than 50 homes were impacted with at least 20 completely destroyed.
Officials are currently pleading for more than just local intervention as the situation is severe- hospitals are visibly overwhelmed and the death toll is expected to rise.
At least six people had been airlifted from Cap-Haitien to a hospital specializing in severe burns in capital city Port-au-Prince.
UNICEF spokesman Ndiaga Seck have pledged the organization’s commitment to providing urgent assistance to Haiti with the donation of medical kits for burn victims.
“UNICEF sympathizes with the pain of grieving families and families whose members have been injured,” Seck said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ariel Henry declared three days of mourning.
“I learned, with desolation and emotion, the sad news of the explosion last night in Cap-Haïtien,” he wrote in a Twitter post on Tuesday.
This latest tragedy may have happened due to the worst fuel shortage in the country’s history. The situation continues to threaten the lives many including critical care patients.
Due to frequent power cuts, hospitals rely on fuel-powered generators to keep patients alive.
Gangs have stopped fuel deliveries in Haiti for the past month, making gasoline an extremely valuable commodity.
