Cameroonian officials are calling on the public to donate blood following a deadly train crash that killed 80 people and injured more than 600 others on October 21st. According to the BBC, the passenger train was carrying 1,300 people (700 overcapacity) when it overturned near Eseka, as it left the capital city of Yaounde headed towards the port city of Douala. The accident prompted national hysteria as Cameroonians flocked to hospitals in search of their missing loved ones.
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has declared a day of mourning in the country, with flags flying at half-mast.
Biya has called for investigations into the cause of the accident, while assuring injured Cameroonians that the government “would cover all their medical costs.”
BBC reports that at least 20,000 sachets of blood are needed to cope with the emergency.
Vice Chairman of the National Order of Physicians, Tetani Ekwe, said, “This is unprecedented and it came suddenly. Treating the wounded involves a considerable number of physicians.”
“We can’t afford to pay for the blood we need, so citizens have to donate their blood.”
The death toll of the accident continues to increase with each passing day.
On Twitter, updates on the accident and condolences are found under the hashtags; #CAMRAIL and #ESEKA.
