A catastrophic fuel tanker explosion killed at least eight people and ignited a major fire in the coastal town of Tiko on Friday, authorities confirmed. The disaster occurred on the key road linking Limbe to Douala, leaving a trail of destruction and raising environmental concerns.
According to officials, the tragedy began when the tanker, loaded with more than 36,000 liters of fuel, experienced a brake failure while descending Mutang Hill. The truck careened uncontrollably before coming to a stop and exploding near the Lomba Bridge in Tiko.
The force of the blast propelled burning fuel over a wide area, forcing panic-stricken residents to flee. The ensuing fire engulfed approximately ten houses and several vehicles parked nearby.
A local official at the scene described the grim recovery effort. “We have identified those that we could see,” the official stated. “The corpses transported to the district hospital include one child, one lady, and seven other adults. So they are eight in number.” The official cautioned that the death toll might not be final, noting, “We cannot even determine whether that is still all because the vehicle is still there.”
Among the eight deceased were men, women, and children, many reportedly burned beyond recognition. Three severely injured survivors were rushed to a local hospital for treatment. Several military personnel, who assisted in the initial intervention, sustained minor injuries and were treated on-site.
The severity of the blaze required a significant emergency response. Firefighters battled the raging inferno for hours, with the city of Douala dispatching an additional team to assist. The national road was blocked for the entire day, with a detour established to ease traffic congestion.
As the smoke cleared, the community was left to assess the full scope of the sudden disaster. Beyond the immediate loss of life and property, a secondary crisis emerged. A nearby water course was contaminated by fuel runoff, sparking fears of a potential health and environmental crisis in the area.
Authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances of the brake failure and the subsequent explosion.