All-Africa Student Union (AASU) has expressed its deepest condolences to the people of Sierra Leone, especially students and their families after a fuel tanker exploded on Friday November 5, 2021 resulting in death of over 90 people and injuring several.
In a statement, AASU said it has been saddened by the “unfortunate” incident while expressed concerns over the spate of fuel tanker explosions on the continent as a whole, with their consequent injuries and deaths that associated with such disasters.
“AASU is saddened by the incident of fuel tanker explosion in eastern Freetown that has resulted in the deaths and injuries of several scores of people in the country. The union is overwhelmed by this unfortunate incident and sends its deepest condolences to students, families and the nation of Sierra Leone”.
The explosion was believed to have happened at a junction outside the busy Choithram Supermarket in the densely populated Wellington suburb in the east of the city at close to midnight local time on Friday.
Report said Sierra Leone’s National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) indicated that the tanker carrying fuel, collided with another car when the tanker was entering a nearby filling station to discharge its fuel.
The drivers, noticing a leak, exited their vehicles and warned people to stay away, adding that the explosion occurred when people tried to collect the fuel
However, AASU believes that the causes of these disasters are embedded in general economic hardships on the continent that spur young people to see economic opportunities in such deadly ventures.
It therefore appealed to governments and civil society groups to provide sound education on the dangers involved in salvaging fuel from leaking tankers and accident scenes.
It added “The Union also invites disaster management organizations on the continent to assist the people of Sierra Leone with medical supplies to help the victims”.
AASU stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the students of Sierra as we work with global partners to bring in some support to the people affected by this incidence, the statement released on Monday November 8, 2021 said.
The rest of the statement below
