Morogoro tanker explosion

On 10 August 2019, a fuel tanker exploded in Morogoro, Tanzania, killing at least 89 people and injuring at least 55 others.[2][3] It was one of the largest disasters of its kind in Tanzania.[4]

Morogoro explosion
Morogoro
Morogoro (Tanzania)
Morogoro
Morogoro (Africa)
Date10 August 2019
Time~ 8:30 a.m. EAT (~5:30 UTC) onwards
LocationMorogoro, Tanzania
Coordinates06°48′17″S 37°40′09″E
TypeGas explosion
CauseCrash between a fuel tanker and a motorcyclist[1]
Deaths89
Non-fatal injuries55

The incident happened in the town of Morogoro, which is located 185 km (115 mi) west of Dar es Salaam. A fuel tanker crashed and people gathered at the accident site to loot the fuel. The tanker exploded during the looting, initially burning 60 people to death. Video footage of the incident began circulating on social media, in which many people can be seen collecting fuel in yellow containers and jerrycans.[5] Another 55 people were injured in the incident and many suffered serious burns.[2]

Explosion

The explosion occurred at 8:30 am EAT, 20 minutes after a fuel tanker overturned while trying to avoid colliding with a motorcyclist.[6] The crash happened near Msamvu Bus Terminal.[7] The road on which the crash occurred connects Morogoro to the financial capital Dar es Salaam and is heavily used.[6] Witnesses say that a crowd of at least 150 people gathered at the scene. The crowd began stealing the fuel using yellow jerrycans[8] and continued even when the tanker burst into flames.[9] A video was posted by local news channel Kwanza TV on Twitter, showing groups of people attempting to gather fuel around the tanker.[10]

One of the witnesses, who was identified as Daniel Ngogo,[11] described the scene as chaotic with a huge fire which made it "challenging to rescue victims. The situation is really bad. Many people died here – even those who were not stealing fuel – because this is a busy place".[12] At 3:00 pm EAT, rescue operations finished and all the bodies were removed from the scene.[6] The regional police commissioner, Wilbard Mutafungwa, stated that many people suffered burns as a result of the explosion.[13]

Official police figures reported 75 deaths and at least 55 people injured.[2] Most of the victims were identified as local motorcycle taxi drivers who were present at the scene and people who attempted to gather fuel.[14] Morogoro regional commissioner Stephen Kebwe said it was the worst disaster in the region,[15] and warned of more possible deaths.[16]

Aftermath

Afterwards, government spokesperson Hassan Abbas said, "the rescue operations finished by 3 p.m. local time. The scene was cordoned off and all bodies were removed from the scene into a local hospital for identification."[17]

President of Tanzania John Magufuli expressed condolences as well as dismay with how the crowd acted.[18][19]

See also

References
  1. Mwanza, Faraji; Kottasová, Ivana (10 August 2019). "At least 61 people killed in a fuel tanker explosion in Tanzania". CNN. CNN. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  2. "Death toll climbs to 75 in Tanzania fuel tanker blast". citizen.co.za. Gauteng, South Africa. 12 August 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  3. Msowoya, Tumaini (15 August 2019). "Death toll in Tanzania fuel tanker tragedy climbs to 89". The Citizen. Tanzania: Mwananchi Communications. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  4. Death toll from Tanzania's fuel tanker explosion rises to 75: official
  5. "Death toll of Morogoro fuel tanker tragedy rises to 75". The Citizen. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  6. Faraji Mwanza and Ivana Kottasová. "At least 61 people killed in a fuel tanker explosion in Tanzania". CNN. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  7. "Tanzania oil tanker explosion kills more than 60 people". UPI. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  8. Reuters, Nuzulack Dausen and Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala. "Tanzania tanker blast kills dozens as crowd siphons fuel". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  9. "Tanzanian police say 62 killed when siphoned tanker explodes". The Charlotte Observer. 10 August 2019. Archived from the original on 11 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  10. "At least 57 dead in Tanzania fuel tanker explosion". www.euronews.com. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  11. "At least 62 people burned to death after fuel tanker explosion in Tanzania". Sky News. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  12. Mikelionis, Lukas (10 August 2019). "Tanker truck in Tanzania explodes as people siphon fuel, at least 62 killed". Fox News. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  13. "57 killed in fuel tanker explosion in eastern Tanzania town". Los Angeles Times. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  14. "Tanzania fuel tanker blast kills 60". AFP.com. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  15. "62 Killed in Tanzania Tanker Blast as Crowd Siphons Fuel". News18. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  16. "Tanzania fuel tanker blast kills 60". www.msn.com. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  17. Kottasová, Ivana (11 August 2019). "At least 61 people killed in a fuel tanker explosion in Tanzania". CNN.
  18. "Tanzanian police say 62 killed when siphoned tanker explodes". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  19. "Tanzanian president mourns victims in fuel tanker explosion that kills at least 60 - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 11 August 2019.

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