On December 27, 2023, in the town of Totota, Bong County, Liberia. A fuel tanker crashed and then exploded, killing at least 40 people and injuring many more. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor attended the mass funeral.

“We never expected to start the new year like this,” Howard-Taylor said.

The Liberian government has declared a state of emergency and is working to provide assistance to the victims and their families. International aid organizations are also providing support.

Health officials said the number of injured could rise as they were not certain everyone had been brought in for care. A doctor at one hospital treating the injured urged the Liberian government to deploy a disaster management team and to have one in each county to respond to emergencies.

Dr. Minnie Sankawolo-Rocks also pleaded with people not to approach fuel tankers in the hope of collecting much-needed gasoline. Similar deadly accidents have occurred elsewhere in Africa.

“Please, I am begging you,” she said.

Sankawolo-Rocks said people did not listen to police instructions to keep away before the tanker exploded.

This event has caused a great deal of pain and suffering for many people, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.