MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Government and people of Liberia are mourning the deaths of dozens of citizens following the tanker explosion in Totota, Bong County.
It followed a proclamation by President George Weah, declaring a week-long National Mourning, beginning Sunday, January 7, 2024.
The incident occurred when a gas tanker became trapped after veering off the road, and some locals attempted to scoop its contents.
According to an Executive Mansion release issued recently, President Weah has ordered that flags on public buildings be flown at half-mast during the week of national mourning.
The Liberian Leader also encouraged prelates and places of worship to continue praying for the bereaved families and the injured during this period of national distress.
President Weah expressed his deepest sympathies to the affected families and all those affected by the unfortunate incident and called on the nation to rally around them.
The Liberian Leader urged health authorities to use every available means at their disposal, including beefing up manpower and equipment to cope with the rising number of injured people.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leonean medical experts are in Liberia to complement response efforts with their Liberian counterparts for recent fire victims in Totota.
The Team is headed by Sierra Leonean Deputy Health Minister, Charles Senesie, comprising Plastic and Burnt Surgeons.
Minister Senesie said their Mission will work along with its Liberian counterparts to cater to the recent fire victims.
At the welcoming ceremony over the weekend, Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah said the coming of the Sierra Leonean Health Team is in the spirit of regional solidarity, and the Team will work along with its Liberian counterparts to complement response efforts for the injured at various health facilities across the country.
In a related development, the Ministry of Health and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) have received several medical supplies to enhance the response mechanism of the Liberian Government for Totota fire victims.
The items, including adult diapers, surgical gloves, urine bags, and a cooling box, were donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Liberia.
Making the presentation over the weekend in Monrovia, the Latter Day Saints Church Communication Chairman, Prince Nyanforh, said the donation represents the goodwill of the Church for the Totota Fire victims.
Receiving the items, Health Minister Wilhelmina Jallah and NDMA Executive Director, Henry Williams, thanked the Latter Day Saints Church for the gesture.
By: Varflay Kamara/Joseph Sayon
