At least eight people were killed after a fuel tanker crashed and exploded early Friday in Likomba, near Tiko in Cameroon’s southwest, according to local officials.
Viang Mekala, an officer in the administrative unit where the accident occurred, said the driver lost control of the truck after a brake failure while descending a hill, hitting several cars and buildings before the tanker exploded.
“The tanker truck is completely charred, other vehicles got burnt, and tens of houses were also destroyed by the blaze,” Mekala told reporters.
Several more people were injured and taken to the Tiko district hospital. An army rescue unit continued working to contain the fire and assess the damage, and authorities warned that the death toll could rise.
Fuel truck explosions are not uncommon in Cameroon, a country without a national pipeline network, meaning petroleum products must be transported by road or rail. Poor road conditions, heavy potholes, and ageing vehicles contribute to frequent and often deadly accidents each year.