Eleven people were killed, and 88 others were critically injured after a massive explosion and fire at Guinea's main fuel depot rocked the city of Conakry.
As dense black smoke covered the sky, schools closed, and workers were urged to stay home. Images on social media showed residents fleeing the area where the incident occurred.
The incident occurred about midnight (0000 GMT) at the state oil company's major facility near the port in Conakry's Kaloum area.
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During a meeting with the foreign minister and ambassadors, operational technical director Jean Traore stated that there have been "11 cases of death and 88 cases of seriously injured" persons.
"Dozens of injured people are arriving at two of Conakry's main hospitals -- Ignace Deen and Donka," Mamadouba Sylla, a surgeon at Donka, told AFP shortly after the incident.
Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, the head of the reigning junta that seized power following a coup in 2021, has called for "solidarity and prayer for the nation in this difficult time" while the results of a probe initiated by the government are expected.
The authorities closed schools and recommended residents of Conakry and the neighboring area stay home.
"It was a deafening noise that woke us up," one local told AFP.
"Our windows and the windows of our neighbours were smashed." "We were able to get away from there," he added.
The fire caused "extensive damage, including loss of human life," according to Dansa Kourouma, head of the National Transitional Council (CNT), the parliament formed by the reigning military junta.
According to the administration, the fire was put out late in the morning. An AFP journalist observed dozens of civil protection cars and water utility trucks on the scene.
Security troops have sealed off the port district, and a pungent odor of burning fuel pervades the air. Security Minister Bachir Diallo has established a crisis unit.
