Mass Burial for Some After Scores Die in Liberia Tanker Blast

The death toll from the gas tanker explosion in Totota, Lower Bong County, has risen to over 40, according to Liberia's Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Minister for Health Services, Dr. Francis Kateh - while some reports are putting the deaths at over 50 and 60 people.

The gas tanker reportedly fell off the road and caught fire on the evening of December 26, and citizens rushed to the scene to collect gas that was pouring out of the fallen tanker. They were caught in the sudden explosion, resulting in several deaths and severe injuries.

Liberia's President-elect Joseph Boakai has ordered an investigation into the tanker explosion.

This article originally appeared on allAfrica.

Image via AlJazeera.