Move FM Global News
Number of people dead after oil tanker explosion in Tanzania hits 89
Aug 16, 2019DODOMO, Tanzania – The number of people who were killed when an overturned fuel tanker exploded last Saturday has been revised upwards to 89.
The tanker flipped over while the driver was trying to avoid a motorcyclist in Morogoro town in northern Tanzania, in eastern Africa on Saturday.
A spokesman for the National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Aminiel Aligaesha, confirmed the latest death on Thursday.
“Doctors and nurses are working around the clock to save the lives of 31 victims admitted to the hospital,” he said.
The victims were mainly people who rushed the tanker once it overturned, in frantic efforts to siphon leaking fuel.
Food vendors and motorcycle riders were quick to seize what they considered a unique opportunity. The ensuing explosion killed and injured scores of people, burning some of them beyond recognition.
In the immediate afthermath of the tragedy, the death toll was put at 67. Another twentry-two people have since died of their injuries.
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli earlier this week declared three days of mourning.
