At least 59 dead following deadly fuel truck explosion in Haiti's second largest city

A fuel truck exploded in Haiti’s second largest city late Monday night, killing at least 59 people.

Local hospitals are reportedly at over-capacity and Cap-Haitien’s deputy mayor, Patrick Almonor, has extended an appeal for aid – including blood and medical supplies, Reuters reported.

"We have 59 people killed so far, and we have dozens at the hospital and health centers across the city," said Almonor. "We have nearly 50 houses impacted by the fire and most of them will need to be demolished."

"The city will need a lot of help to come out of this tragedy, the central government is offering to help but we are waiting to see it," he added. "We believe we will need more than just the central government, the situation is critical."

The United Nations office in Haiti said it was prepared to help the Haitian government in its response, and offered its condolences to the families of the victims.

Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry also reacted to the tragedy on Tuesday morning, tweeting, "I learned, with desolation and emotion, the sad news of the explosion, last night, in Cap-Haitien, of a tanker truck transporting gasoline, and which caused, according to a partial report, about forty dead, dozens injured, as well as extensive material damage."

Fuel deliveries across Haiti resumed last month after a standoff between government forces and local gangs prevented trucks from loading at the main fuel ports. Gangs gained control of many neighborhoods across the country after the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel created a political vacuum and allowed criminal groups to expand their territory.

The government declared three days of mourning for the dead on Tuesday morning.