9 killed in heater gas leak in Jordan, 8 killed in Cameroon fuel tanker explosion

Nine people were dead after they suffered fatal respiratory distress due to gas leaks from home heaters in two separate incidents in the central Jordanian governorate of Zarqa, the Jordanian police said on Friday, reported Xinhua.

In a statement, the police said the first incident, which occurred on Friday morning, claimed the lives of five members of an Arab family, including a mother and her children, aged between 11 and 14.

Another incident was reported late Thursday in the same governorate, where four members of another family died after inhaling gas leaking from a heater inside their home, according to the statement.

Rescue teams from the Zarqa Civil Defense Department had transferred the bodies to Zarqa Government Hospital, the police added.

Last week, the Jordanian Civil Defense reiterated its warnings about the dangers of improper use of heating devices, which have increased due to the drop in temperatures. It emphasized that using heaters for long periods, especially without proper ventilation, may lead to fire hazards or breathing difficulties, due to issues like gas leaks or device malfunctions.

Meanwhile, eight people were killed and several others injured after a fuel tanker exploded early Friday in Cameroon's Southwest Region, authorities said.

The tanker, which had departed the seaside resort town of Limbe and was en route to the commercial hub of Douala, overturned and burst into flames before exploding on a highway in the town of Tiko.

"We heard a loud noise and saw huge flames. It was so frightening. We don't even know how many people have been consumed by the fire," said James Njie, a witness speaking to Xinhua by phone.

Viang Mekala, senior divisional officer for Fako, where Tiko subdivision is located, said the death toll, initially reported as four, hit eight after more bodies were recovered from the debris during rescue operations.

"About 10 houses and some vehicles that were driving behind the truck were torched. Three people were injured and have been transported to the hospital," Mekala told reporters after visiting the scene.

He said traffic had resumed along the highway after firefighters, working with local residents, cleared the debris.