The explosion at a bakery in San Cristóbal, in the southern Dominican Republic, killed at least three people, including a baby, and injured 39, some seriously.
“We have three deaths, 33 people are admitted to public hospitals and another six to private clinics,” Dominican presidency minister Joel Santos said Monday.
#San Cristobal #Dominican Republic – Dozens injured after explosion at bakery in commercial center of #SanCristobalCity pic.twitter.com/301odwvw5x
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A strong explosion shook a busy commercial area in San Cristóbal, less than 30 kilometers from the Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, at around 3:10 p.m. (8:10 p.m. in Lisbon).
The explosion created a huge column of smoke and a fire, which spread from the bakery to an adjacent hardware store and furniture store nearby, leading many people to flee in panic, causing most of the injuries.
A four-month-old baby died of “severe cranioencephalic trauma” and two adults died with burns over 90% of their bodies, Mario Lama, director of the country’s National Health Service, said in a statement.
Six of the injured were transferred “to clinics in Santo Domingo for more specific care,” Joel Santos added.
“The fire is under control, but firefighters are still working on two homes,” the minister added of the explosion, the shock wave of which shook nearby buildings.
Authorities admitted they expected the death toll to rise as firefighters are unable to enter certain buildings as they continue to battle the flames.
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader said he was “devastated” by the incident, guaranteeing that he had sent a government team to San Cristóbal and that authorities were supporting the victims and their families.
San Cristóbal, the birthplace of dictator Rafael Trujillo, who ruled the country from 1930 until his assassination in 1961, was the scene of another explosion nearly 23 years ago.
In October 2000, an arms depot exploded, killing at least two people, injuring more than 20 and forcing authorities to evacuate thousands of people from the city.
Source: DN
