The death toll from a large explosion near the capital of the Dominican Republic, on Tuesday (15/8), rose to 10 people and dozens of others were injured. Firefighters were still searching for other victims amid the smoldering rubble, while people wept outside the hospital building, looking for their families and relatives who were still missing.
“My wife. Where is he? If he’s missing, he should be in one of the shops. She was shopping at a store,” the husband of one of the victims who is still missing told the Associated Press.
President Luis Abinader visited San Cristobal, which is located west of the capital Sango Domingo, to meet the affected people. He said 11 people were still missing and authorities were still working to extinguish the fire amid collapsed buildings and charred vehicles.
More than 50 people were injured in the explosion that occurred in a crowded commercial center in the city of San Cristobal on Monday (14/8). At least 36 injured victims are still being treated in hospital.
Smoke was still blanketing the city center on Tuesday, but the cause of the explosion remained unclear. Authorities have not given an initial estimate of the amount of damage. (rd/rs)
