NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 18- Police say 11 people are recuperating in hospital with serious injuries, after a fuel tanker burst into flames on Saturday night along the Kisumu-Busia road.
At least 13 people died during the night incident according to police.
Authorities told Shahidi News that the victims were siphoning fuel from the tanker, after it was involved in an accident.
Gem Sub-County Police Commander Charles Chacha said the accident happened at around 10.45pm in Malanga village.
“A trailer was avoiding a head on collision with the fuel tanker when the accident occurred,” he said.
“The trailer which was ferrying 20 tonnes of milk, veered off the road to avoid plunging into the tanker which was heading to Busia.”
The Sub-County Police Commander said the tanker hit the trailer and rolled emptying its content by the roadside.
“Unfortunately, members of the public quickly gathered around and started siphoning the fuel,” he said.
“Moments later, the fuel tanker burst into flames. We have counted at least twelve bodies at the scene. Eleven casualties were rushed to the nearby Yala subcounty hospital for treatment.”
In February 2009, a total of 110 people died after a fuel tanker burst into flames two hours after it overturned at Sachagwan along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.
Still in 2009, a fuel tanker and a matatu were involved in an accident along the Luanda–Busia road.
Locals scrambled for the spilled fuel despite efforts by police officers to stop them. Five people died after the spillage flared up.
Tens of lives have been lost in the country through such accidents.
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