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What happened, where and when?
In the morning hours of Monday 18 December 2023, a major explosion occurred at Guinea's primary oil terminal situated in the Kaloum administrative district of Conakry. The government statement the same day refers to an unknown cause for the explosion. The incident led to a massive fire and the release of dense black smoke, which burnt nearly 989 house constructions and critical infrastructures including community centers, water networks, learning centers, and health facilities either fully or partly damaged. Even after the firefighters successfully brought the fire under control later in the day, a thick column of smoke and some flames remained visible.
The current extent of the damage sustained by the terminal remains uncertain at this moment. However, the Initial rapid assessments conducted by volunteers indicate that 18 people have been reported dead, and 190 injured. Some 2,767 families (19,369 people) are suffering from the direct impact and consequences of this incident. The current situation does not provide a definite count of the displaced individuals and the overall number of affected people. Nevertheless, the ongoing process of registration and assessment will offer a comprehensive understanding of the extent of the damage and the number of individuals requiring assistance.
The dire situation has several incidences on people livelihood, disrupting socio-economical activities and also affected the health and WASH conditions for thousands of people. Aside of the severe injuries brought to the hospital, the flames and smoke have led to additional hundreds different level of injuries and need for medical support. The magnitude of the disaster requires urgent attention and support to address the immediate needs of those affected