Pope Francis expresses his closeness to victims of an explosion and fire at a Guinea fuel depot.
Pope.
"Following the serious explosion in Conakry, which has claimed many victims, I express my closeness to the families of the deceased and the injured," said the Holy Father during the Weekly General Audience held in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. He then prayed that God would sustain and keep them in hope, inviting the people of Guinea to "touch with your finger the closeness of God in the crib, and receive his joy."
A rising death toll
On the night of Sunday, 17 December, to Monday, 18 December, an explosion and a fire at Guinea's main oil depot killed 18 people and injured 212 others. The blast in Conakry, the Guinean capital, is now causing concern about fuel supply in the country.
The Government announced the "minimum" reopening of administrative offices in downtown Conakry and the resumption of fuel supplies throughout the country.
Assistance for victims
The UN has also mobilised volunteers who have been joined by rescue teams and aid workers to help victims of the explosion and fire.
The country's public prosecutor has opened a judicial inquiry to determine the cause of the fire.
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