By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Another fuel tanker has today, Saturday, October 26, 2024 overturned and burst into flames at Kyanamira trading center on Kabale-Mbarara highway in Kabale District in Western Uganda.
“The driver was evacuated to Kabale hospital in a critical condition while his turn man is believed to be stuck in the burning fuel tanker. The accident scene has been well secured and no one from the trading center was injured. We believe the truck was either headed for Kigali in Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Kabale officer in charge of traffic police, Mr Wilson Mucunguzi.
This comes just three days after another Fuel Tanker burst into flames at Kigoogwa town killing 15.
The accident occurred on Tuesday in Kigoogwa Town when the tanker, registration number UAM 292Q, travelling from Kampala to Gulu, overturned and caught fire in the town.
Ismail Musoke, an eyewitness, said that upon overturning, the tanker burst, and fuel spilt into trenches. The driver, after jumping off, warned residents about the imminent danger.
Musoke explains that youths rushed to the scene to collect the fuel that was leaking on the ground before it ignited, leading to the deadly fire.
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson says that the accident claimed the lives of 11 people on the spot and four others died on Wednesday due to severe burns.
“The police are working to identify the dead through DNA testing, and relatives are urged to come forward to assist in this process. The bodies of the victims will be released to their families once DNA testing is complete,”Onyango said.
Onyango adds that 24 others were injured with 15 currently in Intensive Care Unit and nine in the normal ward at Kiruddu Hospital.
