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Deadly Cameroon tanker explosion | Deadly Cameroon tanker explosion |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A fuel tanker in northern Cameroon has overturned and exploded, burning an unknown number of people to death. | A fuel tanker in northern Cameroon has overturned and exploded, burning an unknown number of people to death. |
A local journalist at the scene in Limani in Far North Province told the BBC that at least 30 villagers had surrounded the tanker after it crashed. | A local journalist at the scene in Limani in Far North Province told the BBC that at least 30 villagers had surrounded the tanker after it crashed. |
They were trying to scoop up the petrol escaping from the vehicle, which was en route from Nigeria to Chad. | They were trying to scoop up the petrol escaping from the vehicle, which was en route from Nigeria to Chad. |
As a bus tried to edge past the tanker, a fire was sparked by its exhaust and quickly engulfed the whole area. | As a bus tried to edge past the tanker, a fire was sparked by its exhaust and quickly engulfed the whole area. |
The exact number of casualties are not known as the incident happened late on Thursday night and the rescue effort was hampered by the dark. | The exact number of casualties are not known as the incident happened late on Thursday night and the rescue effort was hampered by the dark. |
A police officer told the Reuters news agency that at least 10 people had died, while a local official put the death toll at two, reports AFP. | |
Some reports say as many as 30 people may have died. | |
Journalist Ebenezar Akanga told the BBC's Randy Joe Sa'ah in the capital, Yaounde, that some 18 people are believed to have been taken to hospital. | Journalist Ebenezar Akanga told the BBC's Randy Joe Sa'ah in the capital, Yaounde, that some 18 people are believed to have been taken to hospital. |
The most severe cases have gone to the hospital in the provincial capital, Maroua, 95km south of Limani. | The most severe cases have gone to the hospital in the provincial capital, Maroua, 95km south of Limani. |
Others are being treated at five local health centres, the journalist says. | Others are being treated at five local health centres, the journalist says. |
The bus was carrying about 20 people. | The bus was carrying about 20 people. |