AFRICA/EQUATORIAL GUINEA - Explosions in military barracks: the number of victims rises to 98

Malabo (Agenzia Fides) - The official number of deaths in the explosions that occurred on Sunday, March 7th, in the military barracks in Bata, the most populous city and economic capital of Equatorial Guinea, rises to a total of 98 (see Fides, 8/3/2021).
This was announced by the Ministry of Health of Equatorial Guinea, which also updated the number of injuries: a total of 615 people were injured, of whom 316 were discharged from hospitals, while 299 are still being treated in local clinics and hospitals.
Around 1.30pm on Sunday, 7 March, at least five major explosions destroyed most of the buildings of the military barracks in Nkuantoma and houses in the neighborhood. The violence of the explosions raises concerns that the number of victims could be much higher than that reported by official sources.
The President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, attributed the incident to "the ruthlessness and ignorance" of those responsible for the preservation and handling of the explosives stored in the barracks. Obiang appealed for international solidarity. The Foreign Minister had already scheduled a meeting with accredited ambassadors in the country on Sunday.
Meanwhile, rescues and searches for survivors in the rubble will continue. A call to donate blood has been launched while a medical and psychological team takes care of the victims of the human tragedy. (L.M) (Agenzia Fides, 9/3/2021)

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