2021 Bata explosions

Last updated

2021 Bata explosions
2021 Bata explosions
Date7 March 2021
Time
  • First explosion:
    Around 14:00  WAT (13:00  UTC)
  • Last significant explosion:
    Around 16:00 WAT (15:00 UTC)
LocationCuartel Militar de Nkoantoma, Bata, Equatorial Guinea
Coordinates 1°49′05″N9°48′37″E / 1.81806°N 9.81028°E / 1.81806; 9.81028
CauseNegligently stored dynamite and other explosives (suspected)
Deaths107
Non-fatal injuries613+

During the afternoon of 7 March 2021, a series of four explosions occurred at a military barracks in the neighborhood of Nkoantoma, a district of Bata, Equatorial Guinea. At least 107 people died, and more than 600 others were injured, while significant infrastructural damage also occurred throughout the city.

Contents

Equatoguinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo attributed the disaster to negligently stored explosives on the base that detonated after nearby farmers cleared their fields by setting them on fire. However, human rights groups and the Associated Press have cast doubt on Obiang's theory, as there was no evidence of farming nearby.

Explosions

External image
Searchtool.svg Satellite images before and after event Suspected location of explosion at darker area in top right. Oriented with north to the left. [1]

Four explosions occurred at Cuartel Militar de Nkoantoma, a military base in the neighborhood of Nkoantoma, [2] [3] on the southeastern periphery of Bata. [4] The first three blasts occurred in succession around 14:00  WAT (13:00  UTC), with the first being the strongest. [3] [lower-alpha 1] The fourth explosion occurred two hours after the first detonation. [3] Both dead and injured people were reported in several nearby parts of the city. [3]

Casualties

At least 107 people were killed by the explosions, and at least 613 more were injured. [8] [9] [6] [10] The Ministry of Health declared a "health emergency" due to the presumption that there were several more people dead and missing under the rubble. Of the injured, more than 300 were admitted to the Nuevo INSESO Hospital, more than 150 at the Bata General Hospital, and more than 70 at La Paz Hospital. [11] [12] [13]

Damage

External image
Searchtool.svg Destruction around the military base Panoramas stitched from TVGE images. [1]

President Obiang reported that almost all of the buildings and residences in the city had suffered great damage. [2] [3]

A total of 243 structures appear to have either been "heavily damaged or completely destroyed", according to a preliminary analysis by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. [14] About 150 families, including 648 adults and 252 children younger than 15, have been staying in temporary shelters in Bata, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), while others have been staying with relatives in Bata and elsewhere. [15]

Aftermath

In a statement read by broadcasters of state television channel TVGE, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo blamed the explosions on the negligence of those in charge of protecting the munitions on the military base. [12] The president also stated that neighboring farmers clearing farming land by setting it alight caused the munitions to explode. [2] In the immediate aftermath, Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue traveled to the site of the explosion to assess the situation.

On 9 March, the government declared Bata a catastrophic zone and set up an initial emergency fund of 10 billion  XAF (20 million USD) to address the disaster. [10] It also declared three days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast. [10] [16]

The explosions scattered a significant amount of munitions into the surrounding areas, leading some people to pose with the unexploded ordnance on social media. [17] [4]

Investigation

President Obiang ordered an investigation to determine the details of the disaster, the parties responsible, and the extent of the destruction. [2]

Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and EG Justice, have called for an independent investigation by international experts. [4] [18] They suspect that the death toll is much higher than the one being reported, based on interviews in Bata, and question the officially reported cause of the disaster, noting that other theories are in conflict with the "hasty presidential statement deflecting blame from the military". [18]

The Associated Press also questioned the officially reported cause, and after analyzing satellite images obtained from Planet Labs, they found no signs of farming around the military base, the only signs of land clearing they found were associated with a nearby construction project, and the only signs of fire they found were centered on three buildings thought to have held the munitions. [19]

Assistance

President Obiang also requested international assistance in his TVGE statement. [12]

The Spanish Foreign Minister, Arancha González Laya, responded to the request the next day, announcing that Spain would be sending humanitarian aid immediately. [20] A flight from Torrejón Air Base near Madrid arrived on 10 March filled with over 2,600 kg (5,700 lb) of medicine, surgical products, and other medical supplies worth about 60,000 EUR. [21] [22] [23] Members of the Spanish Technical Aid Response Team (START), including medical and humanitarian experts, arrived the next morning. [24] [25]

The Israeli government sent a 67-member delegation that landed in Bata on 11 March. [26] The delegation included members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Medical Corps, the IDF Home Front Command, and the Ministry of Health. [26] [27] [lower-alpha 2] They also brought medical equipment along with them. [28] [lower-alpha 3] The delegation sent teams to support the La Paz, Bata General, and Nuevo INSESO Hospitals. [27] They had treated about 100 of the injured by the night of 13 March and had set up a new emergency room providing free medical care. [27]

Both Human Rights Watch and EG Justice have suggested that support be sent directly to affected Equatoguineans instead of to the government, since the "high levels of corruption" in the country meant that "any aid directly disbursed to the government [is] at high risk of being looted". [18]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Reuters reported that the explosions happened around 14:00 WAT, and Guinea Ecuatorial Press, the official site of the Equatoguinean government, reported that the fire occurred at 14:15 WAT. [1] [5] However, Deutsche Welle reported that the first explosion happened around 13:00 WAT, EFE reported that the initial blasts occurred around 15:00 WAT, and Associated Press reported that President Obiang stated that an explosion happened at 16:00 WAT. [6] [3] [7]
  2. ↑ The delegation consisted largely of surgeons and intensive care unit personnel, and was led by Noam Fink, IDF deputy chief medical officer. [26] [28] [27]
  3. ↑ The medical equipment included monitors, ultrasound machines, blood transfusion supplies, and surgery equipment, and weighed about 7 tons in total. [26] [ failed verification ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equatorial Guinea</span> Country in Central Africa

Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, is a country on the west coast of Central Africa, with an area of 28,000 square kilometres (11,000 sq mi). Formerly the colony of Spanish Guinea, its post-independence name refers to its location near both the Equator and in the African region of Guinea. As of 2021, the country had a population of 1,468,777, over 85% of whom are members of the Fang people, the country's dominant ethnic group. The Bubi people, indigenous to Bioko, are the second largest group at approximately 6.5% of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Equatorial Guinea</span> Historical development of Equatorial Guinea

The History of Equatorial Guinea is marked by centuries of colonial domination by the Portuguese, British and Spanish colonial empires, and by the local kingdoms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malabo</span> Capital of Equatorial Guinea

Malabo is the capital of Equatorial Guinea and the province of Bioko Norte. It is located on the north coast of the island of Bioko. In 2018, the city had a population of approximately 297,000 inhabitants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo</span> 2nd president of Equatorial Guinea (1979–present)

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is an Equatoguinean politician and former military officer who has served as the second president of Equatorial Guinea since 3 August 1979. As of 2024, he is the second-longest consecutively serving current non-royal national leader in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francisco Macías Nguema</span> 1st President of Equatorial Guinea (1968–79)

Francisco Macías Nguema, often mononymously referred to as Macías, was an Equatoguinean politician who served as the first President of Equatorial Guinea from the country's independence in 1968 until his overthrow in 1979. He is widely remembered as one of the most brutal dictators in history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonifacio Ondó Edú</span> Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea (1922–1969)

Bonifacio Ondó Edú-Aguong was an Equatoguinean politician who served as the Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea from 1964 to 1968 while it was still under Spanish colonial rule, as Spanish Guinea. He played a leading role in the country's independence, and led the National Union Movement of Equatorial Guinea from 1959 until his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wele-Nzas</span> Province of Equatorial Guinea

Wele-nzas is a province in the eastern portion of continental Equatorial Guinea. Its capital is Mongomo. It borders the Equatoguinean provinces of Centro sur to the west and Kie-ntem to the north, with Gabon's Woleu-Ntem Province to the east and south. As of 2015, the population of Wele-nzas was 192,017. It derives its name from the Benito River and the Piedra Nzas mountain range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Index of Equatorial Guinea–related articles</span>

Articles related to Equatorial Guinea include:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National University of Equatorial Guinea</span> Public university in Equatorial Guinea

The National University of Equatorial Guinea is a public institution of higher education, being one of the main universities of Equatorial Guinea in Central Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equatorial Guinea–North Korea relations</span> Bilateral relations

Equatorial Guinea–North Korea relations refers to the current and historical relationship between Equatorial Guinea and North Korea. While Equatorial Guinea has no representation in North Korea, it is one of few African states to have a North Korean embassy, located in the capital of Malabo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corruption in Equatorial Guinea</span> Institutional politics in the country

Political corruption in Equatorial Guinea is high by world standards and considered among the worst of any country on earth. It has been described as "an almost perfect kleptocracy" in which the scale of systemic corruption and the rulers' indifference towards the people's welfare place it at the bottom of every major governance indicator or ranking, below nations with similar per capita GDPs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equatorial Guinea–Spain relations</span> Bilateral relations

Equatorial Guinea–Spain relations are the diplomatic relations between Equatorial Guinea and Spain. Both nations are members of the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.

Salvador Elá Nseng Abegue was an Equatorial Guinean military leader, politician, and diplomat.

Events in the year 2020 in Equatorial Guinea.

Events in the year 2021 in Equatorial Guinea.

The following lists events that happened during 1979 in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Equatorial Guinean general election</span>

General elections were held in Equatorial Guinea on 20 November 2022 to elect the President and members of Parliament, alongside local elections. Originally the parliamentary elections had been scheduled for November 2022 and presidential elections for 2023. However, in September 2022 Parliament approved a proposal to merge the elections due to economic constraints. The government announced on 26 November 2022 that Obiang had won the election by an overwhelming margin, as expected. It stated that provisional results showed him with 97% of the vote on a turnout of 98%. The elections were considered a sham by international observers.

Events in the year 2023 in Equatorial Guinea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alfredo Okenve Ndoho</span> Equatoguinean professor (born 1968)

Alfredo Okenve Ndoho is an Equatoguinean physics professor and human rights activist who is the vice president of the Centre for Development Studies and Initiatives, a human rights organisation in Equatorial Guinea.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Granados, Samuel Granados; Ovaska, Michael (11 March 2021). "Explosions at Equatorial Guinea military base devastate Bata". graphics.reuters.com. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Comunicado presidencial sobre el incendio ocurrido en el Cuartel Militar de Nkoantoma Página Web Institucional de Guinea Ecuatorial.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Una cadena de explosiones causa 17 muertos y 420 heridos en Guinea Ecuatorial" (in Spanish). SwissInfo. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "Bata blast: Satellite images show Equatorial Guinea destruction". BBC . 10 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  5. ↑ "Página Oficial del Gobierno de la República de Guinea Ecuatorial". www.guineaecuatorialpress.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  6. 1 2 Welle, Deutsche. "Equatorial Guinea: Death toll from Bata explosion climbs over 100 | DW | 09.03.2021". DW.COM. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "At least 20 dead, 600 wounded in Equatorial Guinea blasts". AP NEWS. 7 March 2021. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  8. ↑ "Survivors of Equatorial Guinea blasts recall trauma". Reuters . 14 March 2021. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  9. ↑ "Death toll from devastating Equatorial Guinea blasts jumps to 98". Al Jazeera . 8 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  10. 1 2 3 "Página Oficial del Gobierno de la República de Guinea Ecuatorial". www.guineaecuatorialpress.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  11. ↑ "Bata explosion: Equatorial Guinea death toll rises to 98". BBC. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 Bearak, Max (7 March 2021). "Death toll soars to 98 after arms depot explosions in Equatorial Guinea's largest city". The Washington Post . ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  13. ↑ "Educación y sanidad". archive.is. 17 March 2021. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  14. ↑ "Map detail | UNITAR". unitar.org. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  15. ↑ "Equatorial Guinea: Bata Explosions, Flash Update No.4, 13 March 2021 - Equatorial Guinea". ReliefWeb. 14 March 2021. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  16. ↑ Ross, Aaron (10 March 2021). "Children lose parents as thousands flee after Equatorial Guinea blast". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021– via www.reuters.com.
  17. ↑ "El Gobierno pide a la población no hacerse con los proyectiles esparcidos por las explosiones de Nkoantoma". AhoraEG (in Spanish). 9 March 2021. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  18. 1 2 3 "Equatorial Guinea: Seek Independent Inquiry of Blast". Human Rights Watch. 10 March 2021. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  19. ↑ "Equatorial Guinea declares 3 days of mourning for 105 dead". AP NEWS. 10 March 2021. Archived from the original on 11 March 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  20. ↑ "Death toll soars to 98 from Equatorial Guinea explosions". Reuters. 8 March 2021. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021– via www.reuters.com.
  21. ↑ "Guinea Ecuatorial intenta recobrar aliento mientras busca aún cuerpos en Bata". www.efe.com. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  22. ↑ @SpainMFA (10 March 2021). "The humanitarian aid sent by @CooperacionESP, consisiting [sic] of more than 2,600 kg of surgical material, medicines and medical supplies, has arrived in #Bata [Flag of Equatorial Guinea emoji] today. In addition, @AECID_es' #START emergency response team is travelling today to support the hospitals in the city" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 March 2021 – via Twitter.
  23. ↑ "📦 The shipment consists mainly of medicines and medical supplies for an approximate value of €60,000". twitter.com. 15 March 2021. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  24. ↑ "Equipos de España e Israel ayudan en Bata a los damnificados de la explosión". EFE . 12 March 2021. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  25. ↑ "Emergency response". aecid . 17 March 2021. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Gross, Judah Ari (11 March 2021). "IDF team lands in Equatorial Guinea to help after deadly munitions blasts". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  27. 1 2 3 4 "Israeli aid delegation begins relief efforts in Equatorial Guinea". www.janglo.net. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  28. 1 2 "Israeli delegation arrives in E. Guinea to treat wounded after deadly explosions". www.i24news.tv.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.