At least eight people were killed and 84 injured after a blast at an oil terminal in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, early on Monday, a senior police officer said. The officer added that the blaze was being contained.
A huge fire and billowing black smoke were captured on video shot from a distance as firefighters rushed to the area. Several tanker trucks left the depot, escorted by soldiers and police.
The explosion at the West African nation’s main oil terminal rocked the Kaloum administrative district in downtown Conakry, blowing out the windows of several nearby homes and forcing hundreds to flee, according to a Reuters witness.
The origin of the fire was unknown, the government said in a statement, adding that an investigation would be launched.