In the early hours of Monday, a devastating explosion occurred at an oil terminal in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, resulting in the tragic loss of at least eight lives and leaving 84 others injured.
A high-ranking police official confirmed that efforts were underway to control the ensuing inferno.
The blast occurred at the country's primary oil terminal situated in the Kaloum administrative district in downtown Conakry.
The force of the explosion was so intense that it shattered the windows of numerous nearby residences, causing hundreds of residents to evacuate the area, as reported by a Reuters correspondent.
The sight of the massive fire and the towering plume of black smoke could be observed from a considerable distance as emergency services personnel, including firefighters, swiftly arrived at the scene. In the meantime, several tanker trucks were seen exiting the depot under the protection of military and police escorts.
It's important to note that Guinea does not produce oil and lacks oil refining capabilities. The country relies on imported refined products, which are predominantly stored in the Kaloum terminal and transported by trucks throughout the nation.
As of now, the full extent of the damage inflicted on the terminal remains uncertain.
Guinea also operates a smaller oil depot located at the port in Kamsar, north of Conakry, which primarily serves mining companies.
Later in the day, despite firefighters successfully controlling the fire, a dense column of smoke and residual flames were still visible.
The government, in a statement, disclosed that the source of the fire was yet to be determined. It announced plans to initiate an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire and identify any potential culprits.
"The Government expresses its deep concern about this event, the scale and consequences of which could have a direct impact on the population," the statement read.
In light of the incident, the government advised citizens to remain indoors and announced the closure of schools for Monday. (Reuters/NAN)