Cap-Haïtien fuel tanker explosion
Location where the explosion occurred, pictured in 2019.
Date14 December 2021 (2021-12-14)
Timec. 00:00 EST (UTC-5:00)
LocationSamari, Cap-Haïtien, Haiti
Coordinates19°45′05″N 72°12′20″W / 19.75139°N 72.20556°W / 19.75139; -72.20556
TypeFuel tanker explosion
CauseSmoldering trash
Deaths90
Non-fatal injuries120+

On 14 December 2021, a fuel tank truck exploded in the Samari neighborhood of Cap-Haïtien,[1] the capital city of the Haitian department of Nord. At least 90 people were killed and more than 120 were injured; many people were injured as a result of rushing towards the tanker, likely to collect some of its cargo, before the explosion occurred. Many inhabitants are suffering from a huge financial crisis.[2][3]

Haiti, hit with an economic crisis worsened by an earthquake four months earlier, was unable to adequately treat victims of the explosion, with hospitals undersupplied and in disarray.

Background

In 2021, Haiti was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Economic and political crises were compounded by the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and the 2021 Haiti earthquake which caused 2,248 deaths and US$1.5 billion in damage, and an unstable electrical grid that left hospitals, schools, and businesses dependent on gasoline generators.[4][5] In the wake of the earthquake, looting and gang activity became rampant, stifling aid and recovery efforts. Gangs hijacked fuel trucks, kidnapped their drivers, and took control of fuel distribution ports.[6][7]

In November 2021, G9 gang leader Jimmy Chérizier announced that fuel trucks would temporarily be allowed back into Port-au-Prince. Citizens of Haiti scrambled to get gasoline, with some selling to the black market.[8]

Explosion

A fuel tanker carrying 9,000 US gallons (34,000 L; 7,500 imp gal) of gasoline, in an attempt to avoid a motorbike, overturned and began spilling fuel.[5] The driver of the truck exited the vehicle and warned bystanders not to approach.[9] However some of the victims of the explosion had rushed forward after the initial crash. After it exploded fuel stored in nearby houses worsened the extent of the explosion.[10]

The blast also set 50 homes on fire, damaged businesses, and charred vehicles.[5][11] The cause of the explosion was trash that was smoldering when gasoline from the truck reached it.[2] Firefighters were dispatched to the area, but due to water shortages had to call in aid from airport fire services.[4]

Victims

Ninety people were killed in the explosion and more than 100 people were injured.[2][12][13] After the explosion, several victims were injured due to trampling.[12]

Ambulances took up to five hours to arrive, and 15 victims had to be airlifted.[2][4] Victims were sent to smaller, less equipped hospitals because the largest hospital in the city had shut down in November, due to being attacked by bandits. These hospitals were overwhelmed and were unable to handle the victims, as they lacked basic supplies, with some victims being placed on the floor or the yard of the hospital due to the lack of hospital beds.[2][12] Fourteen victims died while in the hospital.[10]

Aftermath

Field hospitals were also set up in the city.[4] UNICEF sent medical equipment to the city for burn victims.[11] Acting President and Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced three days of mourning in the country.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fuel Tank Explosion Kills at Least 62 People in Haiti's Second-Largest City". Democracy Now. 15 December 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Sanon, Evens (14 December 2021). "Gasoline truck explodes in northern Haiti; dozens killed". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  3. ↑ "Haiti - FLASH Cap-Haitien : More than 120 victims, all the details of the tanker explosion (Partial toll)". Haiti Libre. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Merancourt, Widlore; Coletta, Amanda (14 December 2021). "62 dead, dozens injured in fuel tanker explosion in northern Haiti". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Thomas, Gessika (14 December 2021). "Haiti searches for victims of fuel truck blast that killed 60". Reuters. Cap-Haïtien. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  6. ↑ Wyss, Jim (2 September 2021). "Gangs Now Run Haiti, Filling a Vacuum Left by Years of Collapse". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  7. ↑ Kurmanaev, Anatoly (22 August 2021). "In Haiti, Need Is Overwhelming, but Some Politicians' Charity Rings False". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  8. ↑ "Haitian gang leader says he will temporarily lift fuel blockades". Al Jazeera. 12 November 2021. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  9. ↑ "Death toll in Haiti fuel truck blast reaches 75: Official". Al Jazeera. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021. Dozens of people were injured after a fuel tanker exploded in the northern city of Cap-Haitien early on Tuesday.
  10. 1 2 "'Horrible': Dozens killed in Haiti fuel tanker explosion". Al Jazeera. 14 December 2021. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  11. 1 2 Dupain, Etant; Hu, Caitlin (14 December 2021). "At least 62 dead after gas tanker explodes in Haiti's second largest city". CNN. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 Santora, Marc (14 December 2021). "Fuel Tanker Explodes in Haiti, Killing Dozens". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  13. ↑ "Haiti truck blast: Death toll rises to 90, but still 'incomplete'". Al Jazeera. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
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