By Amin Kef – Ranger
The entire nation is in mourning over the unfortunate fire accident that took place on Friday, November 5th, 2021 around 8 pm to 9 pm at Old Wharf, PMB area in Wellington, East End of Freetown.
The incident which happened when a fuel tanker was hit by a tipper truck loaded with granite stone caused petrol to spill onto the ground and run into the gutter.
The fuel tank driver who knew the danger involved tried very hard to drive the crowd of fuel scoopers who were filling the petrol into containers and into the tanks of their motorcycles and taxis.
Eyewitnesses narrated that this went on for about thirty minutes when all of a sudden, a fire started some distance from the tanker.
With traffic-jammed, an explosion took place splattering the entire area with petrol. The store where the siphoned fuel was been stored caught fire and burned. Over 100 motorbikes and vehicles also burned. Over 100 bodies burnt beyond recognition were taken to the Connaught hospital mortuary.
A large number of victims of first, second, and third-degree burns were taken to various clinics and hospitals in Wellington, Calaba Town, the Rokupa Government hospital, Choithram hospital at Hill Station, 34 Military hospitals at Wilberforce, Emergency hospital at Goderich, and the Connaught hospital in Central Freetown.
Some vehicles, with passengers onboard, got trapped in the traffic. Only a few escaped reports state.
Meanwhile, as the nation mourns Friday’s fire victims, the Government of His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio has assured the victims of succor.
Stating that he was deeply disturbed and shocked by the tragic fires and the horrendous loss of lives around the Wellington PMB area, President Bio sent profound sympathies to the families who lost loved ones and those who have been maimed as a result. He assured the nation that his Government will do everything to manage this tragedy and prevent future occurrences.
Also, Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh who visited Connaught and 34 hospitals on Friday night together with officials of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to sympathize with fire victims of the fuel tanker explosion at PMB Wellington registered the Government’s commitment to work tirelessly to ensure they mobilize emergency response in the wake of the unfortunate incident.
“We are all deeply saddened by the national tragedy and it is indeed a difficult time for our country,” VP Juldeh stated.
Speaking at the scene on Saturday morning, VP Jalloh informed the gathering crowd that 97 lost their lives whilst over 100 people were admitted in Connaught and 34 hospitals.
First Lady Fatima Bio too is in deep sympathy with the victims. She sent a message saying, “Allah have mercy on our people. Just learned of the unfortunate disaster back home… May the souls of the departed rest in peace…”
Former President Ernest Bai Koroma who is currently in Nairobi, Kenya reaching out to the victims said, “My heart goes out to the injured and the families of the unfortunate victims. I urge the Government to appeal to NGOs to quickly provide the relevant support to the victims while speedily investigating the explosion. May the souls of the departed ones rest in peace.”
The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.
It promised to work with the authorities irrespective of political configuration to ameliorate the trauma on our people and provide succor for them.
Mayor of the Freetown City Council, Madam Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr sent her sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims of the explosion.
NP-SL Ltd too empathized: The Board, Management, and Staff of NP Sierra Leone Limited expressed deep sadness over the incident.
They sent their heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones that perished in the inferno and those injured and prayed that the souls of the departed ones rest in peace.
