A tragedy unfolded on National Route N3, in the Tiko area, between the cities of Limbe and Douala, after a tanker truck carrying over 36,000 liters of gasoline exploded. The accident, which occurred near the Likumba bridge, resulted in the deaths of at least eight people and significant material damage.

💥 The Unfolding of the Drama

The heavy vehicle, traveling on the Mutengene hill, reportedly lost control before crashing and exploding with extreme violence. Initial reports indicated eight fatalities , all of whom were found burned beyond recognition.

The shockwave and flames spread over several hundred meters, destroying about ten homes and several vehicles parked nearby. The victims include men, women, and children; several bodies were rendered unrecognizable.

🩺 Human Assessment and Intervention

Three people with severe burns were immediately evacuated to Bingo Hospital for urgent treatment. In addition, members of the armed forces and intervention teams with minor injuries were treated at the scene.

Okwandum Samuel Ndenzen, a member of the Red Cross in Limbe, testified to the difficulty of the operations: “We identified the bodies that we could see.

Among the victims taken to the district hospital are a child, a woman, and seven adults. We don't know if that's all, as the vehicles are still on fire. He emphasized that even the rescue teams and military personnel sustained injuries during the operation.

Faced with the scale of the situation, the city of Douala dispatched reinforcements of firefighters. A detour was set up to bypass the disaster area, where traffic remained blocked all day.

⚠️ Consequences and Investigation

Beyond the loss of life, the accident raises environmental and health concerns: the fuel spilled into a nearby waterway now threatens water quality.

An investigation has been launched by the relevant authorities to determine the exact causes of this tragic accident. While awaiting the results, the community of Likumba mourns its dead and grapples with the profound consequences of this tragedy.