The death toll from an explosion at a fuel depot in Guinea's capital, Conakry, has risen to 23 people, and the number of injured people has increased to 241, the Africaguinee news portal reported Thursday, citing a government spokesperson.
Sunday's explosion caused significant material damage to the warehouse and neighboring houses. Hundreds of people evacuated from the incident area on their own. Access to this area was allowed only to employees of medical services and security forces.
Of the total number of victims, 167 have already returned home, and 74 remain at hospitals, the report said.
The report cited Guinean Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy Ousmane Gaoual Diallo as saying that he has received numerous reports of a large number of missing people, adding that an investigation was underway to clarify the situation.
Media reported on Monday that 13 people had been killed by the explosion and another 178 had been injured.