Death toll has risen to 69 in the aftermath of a fuel tanker explosion in northern Tanzania, authorities said on Sunday. On Saturday, a fuel truck overturned about meters feet from the Msanvu bus station in Morogoro town. People had rushed to the area after the accident to siphon the leaking fuel before the explosion.
They were among the victims of the tragic event. Most of the victims were motorbike riders who were at the scene collecting the spilt fuel and the food vendors at Darmorogoro highway, according to reports. Tanzania media reported that burial was due to start on Sunday while relatives of the deceased gathered at the Morogoro secondary school to take part in the DNA tests to identify the bodies of their loved ones.
At least 72 other people were injured and are undergoing treatment at the Morogoro Regional Hospital and National Hospital Muhimbili in Dar es Salaam, according to the reports. On Saturday, he expressed shock over the looting of fuel from the accident and warned people against the practice. In July, at least 45 people were killed when a crashed fuel tanker exploded in Nigeria's northern Benue state.
About 80 people died in May in a similar accident near the airport of Niamey, Niger's capital city. A similar deadly explosion in killed at least 29 people on the outskirts of the Ugandan capital Kampala. More than 30 people were killed in outside Naivasha town in Kenya after a fuel tanker crashed into other vehicles and burst into flames. Africa Death toll in Tanzania fuel tanker blast climbs to 69 Government declares 3 days of mourning through Monday James Tasamba The tanker driver reportedly lost control while he was trying to avoid a motorcycle operator.
Morogoro Regional Commissioner Stephen Kebwe confirmed the recent death toll. Among the deceased were four women, according to the police. Some people were burnt beyond recognition. Media reports show that similar incidents happened previously in different parts of Africa. Please contact us for subscription options. Related topics death toll expolosion fuel tanker Tanzania. Fuel tanker explodes in northeastern Nigeria, many feared dead. Tanzania summit declaration vows to supply affordable electricity to M Africans within 5 years.
