BY: Shallon S. Gonlor
NIMBA COUNTY — At long last, the owner of a recent gas tanker exploded in Totota, Bong County claiming the lives of several individuals, and many others injured has broken silent over the fatal incident, thus regretting lives lost.
Mr. Odoshall Karnue, the Chief Executive Officer of God’s Willing Petroleum Inc. expressed deep sorrow, and heartfelt condolences to the victims and bereaved families in Totota.
Speaking recently on a local radio station in Nimba County, Mr. Karnue said since news of the fatal incident in the central part of Liberia, he has been in deep sorrow, in lockdown indoors as a result of physiological trauma, adding that the tanker explosion is the first disaster in his business.
The son of Nimba County, a renowned businessman in tearing moment disclosed that the tanker overturned in a ditch in Totota while transporting about 9000 petroleum from the capital, Monrovia to Nimba County.
According to him, following the falling of the tanker, some onlookers in Totota immediately climbed onto the tanker and even used tools to extract gasoline, despite warnings from his driver about the inherent risks, the tanker exploded, causing the devastating explosion.
The tragedy took a devastating turn when residents, unaware of the dangers, attempted to gather leaking gas from the overturned tanker resulting in a devastating fire. Many burnt beyond recognition, with onlookers attempting to take gas from the leaking tanker before the catastrophic explosion occurred.
The horrific incident sent shockwaves through the nation, casting a dark shadow over the year-end festivities. The tragic incident took place Wednesday, December 27, 2023, in Totota, Bong County, leaving a national mourning due to the death toll.
