Kenya

Petrol tanker explosion kills 111 people

Article published on the 2009-02-01 Latest update 2009-02-01 15:10 TU

The wreckage of the oil truck near Molo, Rift Valley.
(Photo: Reuters)

At least 111 people have been killed near Molo, Rift Valley, after a petrol tanker exploded. Local people were collecting fuel from the tanker which had been involved in an accident, before it caught fire.

According to witnesses and emergency services, the tanker was involved in an accident late on Saturday.

People converged on the tanker to collect the remaining fuel which was leaking into a ditch.

They used improvised containers to scoop up the petrol before the fuel ignited and exploded.

The victims of the blast were charred beyond recognition and extra body bags were ordered from Nairobi, while there were also appeals for blood donations to help those who survived the tragedy.

Some witnesses reported that a lit cigarette may have triggered the explosion, while others blamed a matchbox.

“The fire seems to have been ignited by something like a matchbox,” said Titus Mung’ou, from the Kenyan Red Cross.

Thirty-four people were airlifted to the hospital to receive specialist treatment, in what has been described as one of the region’s worst accidents.

The country has been subject to frequent fuel shortages, and many of the victims were women and children from the local area who were desperate to take advantage of the spilt fuel.

The police are still investigating the incident.