<p>A massive fire at an illegal fuel depot in Benin left at least 35 people dead on Saturday (Sept 23). The depot exploded into flames, leaving behind a thick cloud of black smoke in the sky.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident took place in the town of Seme-Podji near the border with Nigeria, a major oil producer state in Africa.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="fr">🚨[DRAME] Au <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/B%C3%A9nin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bénin</a>, un incendie s’est déclaré samedi dans un dépôt clandestin d’essence frelatée dans la localité de Sèmè-Kraké. Un premier bilan fait état de 33 morts (calcinés). 💔🇧🇯 <a href="https://t.co/kzzL1JhEmM">pic.twitter.com/kzzL1JhEmM</a></p>
— LSI AFRICA (@lsiafrica) <a href="https://twitter.com/lsiafrica/status/1705601747731853467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Oil smuggling is rampant in border areas of Benin, where illegal refineries, fuel dumps and pipelines have sprung up without any restrictions. Cars, motorbikes and tricycle taxis often use their services for refuelling. Due to mismanagement and lack of safety measures, fire incidents are quite common in these illegal facilities.</p>

<h2><strong>What caused the incident?</strong></h2>

<p>According to Prosecutor Abdoubaki Adam-Bongle, the fire probably started during the unloading of bags of gasoline.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The fire burned down the store and according to an initial assessment resulted in 35 deaths including one child,” Prosecutor Abdoubaki Adam-Bongle in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;African rhinos number rise for the first time in a decade</strong></p>

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<p>He said more than a dozen others were left seriously injured and are being treated in hospital.</p>

<p>Benin’s Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said the “cause of the fire is smuggled fuel”. He said the blaze left the bodies of the victims “badly charred”.</p>

<h2><strong>Reactions from locals</strong></h2>

<p>People&nbsp;who live nearby expressed shock at the incident&nbsp;and said the flames were so strong that nobody could extend a helping hand to the victims.</p>

<p>“I live not far from the tragedy,” Semevo Nounagnon, a local bike driver, told the AFP news agency.</p>

<p>“I can’t really give you the cause of the fire, but there is a large gasoline warehouse here and cars, tricycles and motorcycles come from morning to evening.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/building-on-g20-summit-success-plans-underway-for-india-africa-summit-637297"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Building on G20 Summit success, plans underway for India-Africa summit</strong></a></p>

<p>“We heard people screaming for help. But the intensity of the flames was too much for people to try to approach,” said Innocent Sidokpohou, a local carpenter.</p>

<p>“I got gas for my motorbike to go do my shopping. I left and barely five metres away I heard an explosion. When I turned around it was all black smoke,” he added.</p>

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A massive fire at an illegal fuel depot in Benin left at least 35 people dead on Saturday (Sept 23). The depot exploded into flames, leaving behind a thick cloud of black smoke in the sky.

A massive fire at an illegal fuel depot in Benin left at least 35 people dead on Saturday (Sept 23). The depot exploded into flames, leaving behind a thick cloud of black smoke in the sky. The incident took place in the town of Seme-Podji near the border with Nigeria, a major oil producer state in Africa. 🚨[DRAME] Au #Bénin, un incendie s’est déclaré samedi dans un dépôt clandestin d’essence frelatée dans la localité de Sèmè-Kraké. Un premier bilan fait état de 33 morts (calcinés). 💔🇧🇯 pic.twitter.com/kzzL1JhEmM — LSI AFRICA (@lsiafrica) September 23, 2023 × Oil smuggling is rampant in border areas of Benin, where illegal refineries, fuel dumps and pipelines have sprung up without any restrictions. Cars, motorbikes and tricycle taxis often use their services for refuelling. Due to mismanagement and lack of safety measures, fire incidents are quite common in these illegal facilities. What caused the incident? According to Prosecutor Abdoubaki Adam-Bongle, the fire probably started during the unloading of bags of gasoline. “The fire burned down the store and according to an initial assessment resulted in 35 deaths including one child,” Prosecutor Abdoubaki Adam-Bongle in a statement. Watch: African rhinos number rise for the first time in a decade × He said more than a dozen others were left seriously injured and are being treated in hospital. Benin’s Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said the “cause of the fire is smuggled fuel”. He said the blaze left the bodies of the victims “badly charred”. Reactions from locals People who live nearby expressed shock at the incident and said the flames were so strong that nobody could extend a helping hand to the victims. “I live not far from the tragedy,” Semevo Nounagnon, a local bike driver, told the AFP news agency. “I can’t really give you the cause of the fire, but there is a large gasoline warehouse here and cars, tricycles and motorcycles come from morning to evening.” Also read: Building on G20 Summit success, plans underway for India-Africa summit “We heard people screaming for help. But the intensity of the flames was too much for people to try to approach,” said Innocent Sidokpohou, a local carpenter. “I got gas for my motorbike to go do my shopping. I left and barely five metres away I heard an explosion. When I turned around it was all black smoke,” he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

VIDEO: At least 35 dead in Benin after massive fire erupts at illegal fuel depot

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VIDEO: At least 35 dead in Benin after massive fire erupts at illegal fuel depot