At least 75 killed in Haiti fuel truck explosion

ANKARA

At least 75 people were killed when a gasoline tanker overturned and exploded in Haiti, officials said Wednesday.

The HaitiLibre.com website said earlier that dozens of wounded were also hospitalized after the blast late Monday in Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s second-largest city, which is located on the country's northern coast.

Officials said an investigation into the explosion is ongoing.

“Three days of national mourning will be decreed throughout the territory, in memory of the victims of this tragedy which grieves the entire Haitian nation,” Prime Minister Ariel Henry said on Twitter

Officials said the death toll could rise and 20 homes were turned into ashes from the explosion.

Claude Joseph, a former premier of the Caribbean country, also said on Twitter: "I bow low to the families of the victims. I share the pain and sorrow of all the people around Cap."

Turkey also conveyed its condolences over the tragic incident.

"We have learned with deep sorrow that more than 50 persons lost their lives due to a fuel truck explosion in the Haitian city of Cap-Haitien," said a Foreign Ministry statement.

Extending its "sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, to the people and Government of Haiti," Turkey also wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.