Fuel Tanker Explosion Kills Eight on Limbe–Douala Road in Cameroon

A fuel tanker carrying over 36,000 litres of fuel exploded on the Limbe–Douala road in Cameroon after losing its brakes, killing at least eight people and destroying homes and vehicles. The blast caused injuries, displaced residents, disrupted traffic, and raised concerns about environmental and health risks from fuel contamination.

At least eight people lost their lives on Friday after a fuel tanker exploded on the busy road connecting Limbe to Douala in Cameroon, triggering a massive fire that caused widespread destruction. Firefighters battled for hours to control the inferno from the tanker, which was transporting more than 36,000 litres of fuel when it exploded.

According to authorities, the incident began when the truck reportedly lost its brakes while descending the steep Mutengene Hill. The driver was unable to regain control, and the tanker sped downhill before ending its uncontrolled descent near the Likomba bridge in the town of Tiko, where it burst into flames.

The sheer force of the explosion sent fire spreading across a wide area, prompting residents nearby to flee in panic. At least 10 houses and several vehicles were consumed by the blaze as flames engulfed the surroundings. Emergency responders said the intensity of the fire made rescue efforts extremely difficult.

Among those confirmed dead were men, women and at least one child, with many of the victims burned beyond recognition. Rescue teams worked carefully through the debris to identify remains. “We identified those we could see,” said Okwandum Samuel Ndenzen, disaster manager for the Limbe Red Cross. “We cannot even determine if that is all, because the vehicles are still there, but we searched everywhere and found nothing else.”

Three survivors who sustained severe injuries were rushed to Bingo Hospital for urgent treatment, while several military personnel who suffered minor injuries during rescue operations were treated at the scene.

The seriousness of the incident prompted authorities in Douala to deploy an additional team of firefighters to support local emergency services. Traffic along the national road was completely blocked for much of the day, causing significant disruption, and a detour was later put in place to ease congestion and allow emergency crews to continue their work.

As the smoke gradually cleared, residents of Likomba were left to count the cost of the disaster, which struck suddenly and without warning. In addition to the loss of lives and property, fuel runoff from the explosion contaminated a nearby watercourse, raising fears of environmental damage and a potential public health crisis in the affected area.