December 18, (THEWILL) – At least eight people have been killed and 84 others injured following an explosion at an oil terminal in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, early on Monday, a senior police officer said, adding that the blaze was being contained.
The explosion rocked the Kaloum administrative district in downtown Conakry, blowing out the windows of several nearby homes and forcing hundreds to flee, residents told newsmen on Monday.
A huge fire and billowing black smoke were seen from miles away as firefighters rushed to the area, while several tanker trucks left the depot, escorted by soldiers and police.
While THEWILL cannot immediately confirm the extent of the damage to the terminal, however, the Government in a statement, expressed its deep concern about the incident, the scale and consequences of which could have a direct impact on the population.
Directing people to stay at home, the Government said schools will be closed on Monday.
Guinea is not an oil producer and has no oil refining capacity. It imports refined products, which are mostly stored in the Kaloum terminal and distributed via trucks across the country.
The country has a small oil depot at the port in Kamsar, north of Conakry, which is mostly used by mining firms.
The origin of the fire was unknown, the government said in a statement, adding that an investigation will be launched to establish the cause and determine who might be responsible.
