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| Africa Subsaharan |
| Guinea: Death toll rises after fuel depot explosion |
| 2023-12-21 |
| [AFRICANEWS] The death toll resulting from the explosion and fire at Guinea's main fuel depot increased from 14 to 18 on Tuesday night. The government announced the "minimum" reopening of downtown Conakry's administrations and the resumption of diesel supplies throughout the country on Wednesday. The incident occurred on Sunday night in the port area of Kaloum, Conakry's administrative and business district, causing extensive material damage and halting economic activities. Although the fire was contained and brought under control on Monday afternoon, smoke continued to emanate from the site, and firefighters were still actively working on Tuesday. The fire inflicted significant damage, affecting buildings over a radius of more than a kilometre, including the one housing the trial related to the September 28, 2009 massacre. Heavily deployed soldiers, wearing helmets and masks, enforced traffic restrictions in the fire-affected area on Tuesday. The deserted port area prompted the local population to flee to the suburbs. The public prosecutor initiated a judicial inquiry into the alleged "arson" to determine the causes of the fire and identify those responsible. Related: Guinea: 2023-12-19 Fire in a fuel depot in Conakry Guinea: 2023-12-17 Central African states uphold Gabon's suspension after army coup Guinea: 2023-12-16 Senegal: 4 soldiers killed in the explosion of an anti-tank mine in Casamance |
| Posted by:Fred |