35 dead in devastating fire at Benin fuel storage facility

Local sources reported the harrowing incident, which unfolded on Saturday in the town of Seme-Podji.

The warehouse, believed to be a hub for the smuggling of fuel, was engulfed in flames, sending a billowing column of black smoke into the sky.

This facility was frequented by vehicles, motorbikes, and tricycle taxis that came to procure fuel from the illegal depot.

In a statement, Prosecutor Abdoubaki Adam-Bongle disclosed: "The fire consumed the entire storage facility and, based on our initial assessment, led to the tragic demise of 35 individuals, among them a child. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the fire likely ignited during the unloading of gasoline bags."

Tragically, more than a dozen people sustained severe injuries and are currently receiving medical attention in local hospitals.

A video of the catastrophic blaze circulated widely on social media, depicting a towering plume of dark smoke and flames ascending above what appeared to be a marketplace. Bystanders watched in shock from a safe distance as the calamity unfolded.

Authorities are conducting investigations into the incident, while the community mourns the loss of those affected by this devastating tragedy. (ILKHA)