Haiti fuel tank explosion kills 60 in Cap-Haitien

Sixty people have been killed after a fuel tank exploded following an accident in the city of Cap-Haitien, in Northern Haiti. Some victims went on to gather leaking fuel when it ignited.

Local hospitals have been overwhelmed by those injured in the blast,

Prime Minister Ariel Henry said the entire Caribbean nation was grieving after the accident, as he declared three days of mourning,

Local medics feared the death toll could rise.

The government has announced that it is deploying field hospitals to the area to help those affected.

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

There are about 20 houses in the area had also been set on fire by the blast, amid severe fuel shortage as powerful gangs have seized control of much of the fuel distribution around the country. Haiti is recovering from major economic and political crisis following the assassination of President Jovenei Moise earlier this year,

The United Nations Office in Haiti said it stood ready to help national authorities respond to the tanker explosion.