Monrovia, Liberia – His Excellency, Dr. George Manneh Weah has expressed his profoundest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives in a major fire incident in the Central Liberian Town of Totota on Tuesday, December 26.

President Weah said images of the tragedy are deeply disturbing and calls on the public to reach out to the affected families as the Liberia National Red Cross and other requisite institutions of government aid with recovery and treatment efforts.

Liberia's Chief Medical officer, Dr. Francis Kateh, has said so far more than 40 deaths have been recorded since a tanker transporting fuel made an accident and later exploded. It is reported that some locals in the area attempted to scoop the content of the trapped tanker when the explosion happened.

Dozens of injured people from the incident have been transported to various hospitals around the country. The President has said health authorities have got his full backing to beef up manpower and equipment where necessary in their frantic attempt to save lives.

He calls on the families of those who lost their lives to take solace in the Lord.