AFRICA/EQUATORIAL GUINEA - Testimonies from missionaries on the front line in caring for the population after the explosions in Bata

Bata (Agenzia Fides) - "On Sunday 7 March, around 1 pm, we heard a loud noise, as if the house was shaking. A few minutes later, another noise was heard which caused the destruction of the doors and windows of the hotel which is in front of the house. We started to receive calls and messages telling us what had happened, namely an explosion at the Nkoantoma barracks, which is some 6 km from where we live". This is the testimony of the nuns of the Community of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Anne who work in Bata, the economic capital and the most populous city of Equatorial Guinea where, on March 7, at least five major explosions in the area of the Nkuantoma barracks destroyed a large part of the buildings of the military installations themselves and of the surrounding houses (see Fides, 8/3/2021).
The nuns immediately mobilized to help the victims. "In less than two hours and without knowing exactly what was going on, we made our way to the general hospital as we had been informed that this is where the wounded were being brought. We loaded our car with medical supplies and offered our full support". In all this difficult situation, we have seen the rapid response of support and solidarity from the population. Some 200 health workers rushed to this hospital - volunteers, nurses, doctors, medical students ... - all to face something they did not understand".
"Parishes and Catholic schools have made their structures available to accommodate dozens of homeless families and we, as a health center, continue to treat dozens of people suffering from bruises and the physical and psychological consequences of these explosions", affirm the nuns.
"We are currently experiencing something worse than a horror movie. The Salesian school is 2.5 km from the site of the explosions and we did not suffer serious damage, but everything shook and even I jumped because of the shock wave", says Fr. Francisco Moro, Salesian, Director of the Spanish Institute of the Salesians in Bata. Two weeks have passed since the tragedy, which according to the official toll caused 107 deaths and more than 600 civilians, and the Salesian educational center welcomed more than 100 people in its structures, mostly women and minors. More than 200 people come every day for lunch or dinner and another large group of 200 people are being helped in the neighborhoods where they have been relocated as displaced persons.
"We need help so that we can continue to take care of them because many others come to have lunch here because of the consequences of the pandemic", concludes the Director of the Salesian school. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 25/3/2021)

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displaced persons

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