A gas cylinder explosion at a private hotel training facility injured 18 students in Ndogbong, Douala V Subdivision, on Wednesday, February 7.
The explosion started with a fire which extended to a gas cylinder that supplied the kitchen area within the establishment.
The blast caused varying degrees of burns to students who were preparing for practical lessons, prompting response teams who rushed to the scene, swiftly transporting the injured victims to the resuscitation service of the General Hospital of Douala (HGD).
A quick assessment by the hospital officials revealed that out of 18 admitted students, 12 were women, and six were men, ranging in age from 16 to 30 years old.
The injuries varied in severity, with nine cases classified as mild, four as moderate requiring hospitalization, and five cases of severe burns ranging from 25% to 60% of the entire body surface.
“The level of emergency has been lifted and a 24/7 surveillance will be conducted by HGD medical teams to ensure these students receive the best care. It’s about staying true to the hospital’s credo, which is Patient First,” an HGD official told Equinoxe.
Additionally, there was one case of smoke inhalation that remained a significant concern.
In response to the influx of victims, Douala General Hospital activated its massive influx management device known as “the white plan.”
This emergency response framework mobilizes all necessary resources to ensure optimal care in the event of disasters.
Among officials who visited the hospital was the Governor of the Littoral Region, Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua.
