APA- Conakry (Guinea) Junta leader Colonel Mamadou Doumbouya offered his condolences to the families of the victims and called on Guineans to show solidarity.
By Aboubacar Siddy Diallo
The Guinean government has officially released the provisional death toll from the fire at Guinea’s main hydrocarbon depot in ̀Kaloum on the night of December 17-18.
According to the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Dr. Oumar Diouhé Bah, the provisional mid-day toll shows 13 lifeless bodies deposited in health facilities and 178 injured Guinean and foreign nationals.
The minister added that the treatment of the victims had enabled 89 of the injured to return to their families.
At midday, Colonel Mamadou Doumbouya, issued his condolences to the families of the victims.
The government also praised the outpouring of solidarity from the very first moments of the fire, particularly in Kaloum, the commune where the tragedy occurred.
Several countries, including Senegal, Mali and the United States, have announced gestures of support for Guinea.
The authorities have announced that everything possible is being done to provide appropriate care for the injured.
As a precautionary measure, the government has recommended the wearing of masks in the Coronthie district, adding that the fire has been contained and efforts are underway to extinguish it completely.
The Guinean authorities also announced a crisis unit, the establishment of an evacuation bridge for the population living near the People’s Palace, and the activation of a health emergency in Greater Conakry, among other measures to manage the disaster.
In addition, public and private sector workers are encouraged to stay at home, with the exception of defense and security forces ́ and the medical corps.
In inland towns, a social crisis linked to fuel shortages is already having an effect on the population.
ASD/ac/lb/as/APA