2007 Freetown explosion

On 20 December 2007, a series of explosions which occurred in the shopping district of Free Street in downtown Freetown, Sierra Leone killed 17 people while injuring at least five more.

2007 Freetown explosion
DateDecember 20, 2007 (2007-12-20) (GMT)
Attack type
Gas explosion
Deaths18
Injured≈ 5

Explosion

The explosions were preceded by a fire that had started in a Lebanese used clothing store[1] in downtown Freetown, Sierra Leone and was spreading to the rest of the four-storey residential building that the store was located in. According to Ahmad Kamara-Bongay, the deputy chief of the local fire brigade, there had likely been a gas leak which was ignited by the fire.[2]

Casualties and initial response

The explosions killed at least 17 people and injured an estimated five others, while destroying much of the building it had occurred in and trapping "many people" underneath the rubble. An onsite fire engine was also damaged.[2][1] The Connaught Hospital was reported to have struggled to care for the wounded.[2]

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References
  1. "Gas explosion in Sierra Leone kills 17". Sydney Morning Herald. December 21, 2007.
  2. "Deadly explosions rock Freetown". BBC. December 21, 2007.
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