Yaoundé train explosion

The railway accident of Yaoundé was the explosion of two tank cars in a southern district of Yaounde, capital of Cameroon, on 14 February 1998. 220 people died.

Accident

Freight cars of a train, the fuel [note 1] promoted, derailed in the afternoon of the day in NSAM, a densely populated southern district of Yaoundé, near a large fuel depots. It hit two vehicles with 100 cubic meters of fuel leak and ran out. Many residents of the environment of the accident scene, car and taxi drivers rushed to the accident site, which was not locked, in order to secure expiring fuel. So many people were at the scene, as a second train approached and drove into the derailed cars. It exploded two tank cars. Only now locked security forces from the accident site.

A rumor that a carelessly discarded cigarette caused the explosion, was not confirmed.

Follow

220 people died [note 2], and at least 100 others suffered severe burns. [Note 3]

The fire fighting lasted a whole day. The then French President, Jacques Chirac condolences to the Republic of Cameroon and France sent four doctors and two nurses who brought also 7 tons of medical equipment for the treatment of burn injuries, and specialists from the fire brigade of Paris at the accident site.

The government of Cameroon set up a commission of inquiry.