Fatal Fires Ravage Benin, Claiming Dozens of Lives

At least 35 people were killed and several others injured in an explosion at an illegal fuel depot in southern Benin. The blast occurred as gasoline bags were being unloaded from a vehicle at a contraband fuel depot, where commuters were stocking up on fuel. Benin, a neighboring state of Nigeria, has a substantial fuel black market due to smuggling from Nigeria. The incident has prompted an investigation into the circumstances, and the government has expressed condolences to the victims' families.