Six people were killed and fourteen others were heavily injured after a truck carrying 60 tonnes of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) collided with a car and exploded early on January 24, 2024 in Ulaanbaatar the capital city of Mongolia. In a statement, the Mongolian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on its website that three people and three fighters were killed. Fourteen others were sent for medical treatment, NEMA said.
The Incident
Of the fourteen injured, ten were taken for treatment for burns, while one child was being treated for poisoning and three other infants were kept under observation. The fire was extinguished after rescue teams were sent to the spot. Pictures showed that remains of a truck and a car that collided with each other and caused widespread damage to a street. The explosion also resulted in windows blowing out a nearby school.
More than 600 firefighters and 100 vehicles were sent to the scene and eventually the fire was extinguished. The accident which took place near the Dunjingarv market in the country’s capital, prompted an evacuation of residents near the site as emergency workers cleaned the debris said the local officials in a social media post. The video of accident shows multiple explosions and a massive fire which has engulfed the street.
Status of Victims
Unfortunately, as a result of the accident, three officers of the 63rd Fighting Force and Rescue Unit of the National Fire Services were killed while performing their duty said MENA in a post on Facebook. The country emergency services also said that 10 people were taken for treatment for burns, one child was being treated for poisoning and three others were taken to the hospital. Residents from a nearby apartment block were also evacuated and temporary relocated said NEMA adding roads around the area were closed as debris was being cleared.
Deeply Saddened
The United States of America’s ambassador to Mongolia, Richard Buangan took to the social media platform X and said he was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic accident. He added, “I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and colleagues of the NEMA, staff members who lost their lives in this devastating event. On behalf of the British embassy, I extend my condolences to the officers who lost their lives during the tragic accident at Dunjingarv, Fiona Blyth, the British ambassador to Mongolia said on X.
“Our thoughts are with the families of all those who are affected and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured in this tragic event.” The European Union’s Ambassador to Mongolia Axelle Nicaise also said that she was shocked and devastated by the accident.
