Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Sierra Leone - Fire explosion in Freetown : 143 deaths (WHO Africa, November 14, 2021)

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Sierra Leone - Fire explosion in Freetown : 143 deaths (WHO Africa, November 14, 2021)

    WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
    AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

    Week 46: 08 – 14 November 2021
    Data as reported by: 17:00; 14 November 2021
    ...

    Fire explosion Sierra Leone


    304 Cases
    143 Death
    47.0% CFR


    EVENT DESCRIPTION

    On the night of Friday 5 November 2021, a tragic accident involving
    the collision of a transportation lorry and a petroleum tanker occurred
    between 9-10 p.m. The accident occurred in the densely populated,
    industrial neighbourhood of Wellington located in the country’s
    capital of Freetown
    . A lorry truck full of granite slabs collided with
    a loaded petroleum tanker leading to leakage of fuel. The situation
    caused heavy traffic on the normally busy highway that connects the
    city centre to the eastern part of the city.

    At the scene of the accident, a large number of people (mostly on
    motorbikes and taxi riders) took advantage of the leaked fuel and
    collected it since some struggle to afford it. While this was happening,
    the tanker exploded into a fireball causing a catastrophic situation.
    The surroundings of the site were immediately burned harming
    nearby people, vehicles, and informal trade structures along the road.
    As of 12 November 2021, a total of 304 individuals have reportedly
    been affected by the incident causing 143 deaths thus far. A total
    of 84 victims perished at the scene of which 75 (89.3%) have not
    been identified. As of the same date, there were 58 patients admitted
    to five hospitals in Freetown of which six patients remain in critical
    condition. At least 41 people who were injured have been discharged
    from the hospitals.

    Preliminary analysis of 147 victims has shown that most were
    male (112, 76.2%) and the mean age was 24.7 years. In addition,
    22 vehicles, 48 motorbikes, and 3 tricycles, several properties,
    businesses, vegetation, and surrounding neighbourhoods were
    destroyed. Acute consequences of the explosion include air pollution,
    destruction of vegetation in the surrounding environment, disruption
    of social and economic livelihood of households within a onekilometre
    radius from the site potentially affecting approximately 35 605 persons.

    PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

    The Public Health National Emergency Operations Centre has
    coordinated the public health components of the response under
    the leadership of the National Disaster Management Agency
    which coordinates the overall humanitarian response. There are
    daily meetings to provide coordination for this disastrous event.
    Various public health-related response areas have presented
    plans with activities to support the overall response including
    surveillance and laboratory

    Emergency medical kits containing medicines, fluid infusions,
    disinfectants, autoclave sterilizer, dressings for burns and
    gloves among others were donated to the Ministry of Health
    and Sanitation by WHO and the United Arab Emirates.
    Additional medicines and medical supplies have been donated
    by multilateral and local partners. The supplies have been
    distributed to all hospitals caring for patients so far and more
    are expected to arrive.

    A surge medical team was deployed from Temple Medical
    University of the United States of America to provide patientcentred
    case management starting at Connaught Hospital and
    34 Military Hospital where the majority of cases are admitted.

    Additional medical personnel will be deployed as they are still
    arriving in the country.

    A mass burial was held on 8 November 2021 for the 75
    unrecognized bodies. Before burial, laboratory personnel
    collected tissue samples from each corpse to allow for DNA
    testing and post-mortem identification of victims.

    Blood donation drives have been conducted.

    Standard operating procedures have been drafted for the
    nutritional management of severe burn patients.

    Patients requiring specialized feeding due to injuries have been
    enumerated.

    Psychological first aid training has been provided to front line
    workers across sectors.

    Risk communications teams are engaging with civil society
    organisations, inter-religious councils, and press about the
    incident.

    SITUATION INTERPRETATION

    A major traffic accident caused by a transportation truck striking
    a fuel truck ended in a mass casualty incident. Tragically, more
    than 100 people have died and many more were severely burned
    and injured due to an explosion affecting a large number of
    them who were stuck in traffic and others who gathered to
    take advantage of the leaked fuel. Furthermore, an extensive
    amount of damage to property such as vehicles, storefronts,
    and land has been endured. An accident of this magnitude has
    stressed the hospitals and called for unprecedented response
    needs ranging from DNA matching technology to specialized
    nutritional management operating procedures for burn victims.
    ...
    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela
Working...
X