SANTO DOMINGO: At least 11 people were killed and 37 others sustained critical injuries while 11 other are missing in a tragic explosion at a shop in the Dominican Republic, President Luis Abinader confirmed on Tuesday.
The devastating explosion, which occurred on Monday, rocked the commercial district of San Cristobal, located less than 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the capital, Santo Domingo. The blast triggered a fierce fire and a towering column of smoke that engulfed the area.
Dominican Republic President Visits Blast Site
President Abinader personally visited the site to assess the aftermath of the incident, offering his condolences to the families of the victims, which included men, women, and children. He expressed the government’s commitment to conducting a thorough investigation into the tragedy and providing support to those affected.
“We are doing all that is humanly possible… to investigate the situation of 11 missing individuals. There are around 37 people currently hospitalized,” President Abinader stated.
Among the victims, authorities have confirmed the heartbreaking loss of a four-month-old baby. The incident has led to widespread shock and sorrow in the Dominican Republic.
As the investigation continues, the exact cause of the explosion remains undisclosed. Authorities are working tirelessly to uncover the circumstances that led to the explosion and to locate those still missing.
