Cameroon: at least eight dead after a tanker truck exploded in Tiko

A serious accident occurred on Friday, 12 December 2025 in Tiko, in Cameroon’s Southwest Region. The collision between a tanker truck carrying gasoline and a public transport bus on the Likomba bridge immediately triggered a violent explosion followed by a major fire.

According to initial reports, at least eight people have died and several others were injured. Rescue teams, including the National Fire Brigade, were mobilized to control the fire and secure the area.

Witnesses describe a scene of devastation, with charred vehicle wrecks and heavy damage along the Douala–Tiko route, a vital economic corridor linking the Littoral Region to the Southwest Region. Security forces recovered several bodies from the rubble, in conditions described as extremely difficult due to the intensity of the fire.

The explosion severely damaged the road infrastructure, making traffic impossible on this strategic route. An investigation has been announced to determine the exact circumstances of the accident and assign responsibility.