Gasoline truck explodes in northern Haiti; over 40 killed: Report
Port-Au-Princ (Haiti), Dec 14: A truck carrying gasoline exploded in northern Haiti, killing more than 40 people and injuring dozens of others, officials and news reports said Tuesday.
The blast occurred late Monday in the city of Cap-Haitien, Prime Minister Ariel Henry said, adding that he was devastated.
No further details were immediately available. Police didn't immediately return calls requesting information.
Le Nouvelliste newspaper reported that dozens have been hospitalized with injuries and that hospitals were seeking supplies.
We are overwhelmed, a person identified as Dr. Calhil Turenne told the paper.
Dave Larose, a civil engineer who works in Cap-Haitien, told The Associated Press that he was driving when he saw ambulances and a crowd of people gathered along a road around 1 a.m.
He said he observed how some people were using buckets to scoop up gasoline from the truck and the street to take back to their house. The explosion occurred as Haiti struggles with a severe shortage of fuel and spiraling gas prices.
It's terrible what our country has to go through Larose said.
Former Prime Minister Claude Joseph also mourned the victims, tweeting, I share the pain and sorrow of all the people."
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Air India Express pilot arrested, granted bail in Delhi airport assault case
New Delhi: An Air India Express pilot accused of assaulting a passenger at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport was arrested and later released on bail, as the offence is bailable, Delhi Police said on Tuesday.
The accused pilot has been identified as Captain Virender Sejwal. He was booked in connection with an alleged assault on passenger Ankit Dewan at Terminal 1 of IGI Airport, reported by NDTV.
According to police, a case was registered following a complaint, after which CCTV footage was examined and statements were recorded. The pilot was called for questioning and joined the investigation on Monday.
"Captain Virender Sejwal has joined the investigation. If the IO (Investigating Officer) is not satisfied with his reply, he can be arrested in the assault case. Investigation is being carried out in the matter based on merits and available evidence," NDTV quoted Delhi Police as saying.
Earlier, Ankit Dewan alleged that the incident took place during the security check process while he was travelling with his wife and their four-month-old baby. Speaking to ANI, Dewan said CISF personnel had directed them to a specific security screening area.
As per the report, he claimed that the screening lane used older machines and was already crowded, including airline staff and passengers carrying large musical instruments. Dewan said he asked his wife to take their baby through the ladies’ queue while he managed the luggage, which included multiple bags, trays and a stroller.
Dewan also raised questions to the airport operator DIAL, the aviation regulator DGCA, and the airlines, seeking clarity on the incident involving the off-duty Air India Express pilot.
