Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has declared three days of national mourning from Monday to Wednesday for the 108 lives lost in a massive fuel tanker explosion here.
While visiting victims who were being treated in Hospital, Bio said a presidential task force will be set up in the coming days to carry out a thorough investigation on the accident.
He said he was devastated by the huge loss of lives of his compatriots adding that had cut short his overseas trip to see the dead and meet survivors of the fuel tanker explosion.
It also said the government has provided “sufficient medical supplies” to victims in the various hospitals.
The loaded fuel tanker exploded on November 5 in east Freetown after colliding with a truck, leaving 108 people dead and 92 others injured. Most of the victims were street vendors and motorcyclists who tried to scoop up the leaking fuel before it ignited.
According to witnesses and video footage revealed that while the collision took place, both drivers came out of their vehicles and warned residents to stay off the scene while trying to address the leakage.
The African and international communities have expressed their sympathy to the West African country.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Saturday in a statement issued by his spokesman that he was “deeply saddened by the large loss of life.”
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), of which Sierra Leone is a member, also expressed “solidarity” following the tragic accident.
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