Gasoline Truck Explodes in Haiti; Dozens Killed

At least 50 people were killed by a fuel truck explosion in Haiti’s second-largest city Cap-Haitien, the city mayor said on Tuesday.

The local hospital was stretched trying to treat the injured, the total number of whom is still not known, Mayor Pierre Yvrose told Reuters.

“We need human resources, and also material resources, namely, serum, gauze, and anything that can be used in case of serious burns,” Yvrose said.

The government declared three days of mourning for the dead. The blast occurred in the city of Cap-Haitien, former Prime Minister Claude Joseph said. “I share the pain and sorrow of all the people,” he tweeted.

No further details were immediately available. Police didn’t immediately return calls requesting information.

Le Nouvelliste newspaper reported that dozens have been hospitalized with injuries and that hospitals were seeking supplies.

“We are overwhelmed,” a person identified as Dr. Calhil Turenne told the paper.