SIAYA,Kenya, July 19 – Two more people have succumbed to their injuries following the Siaya fuel tanker explosion on Saturday night along the Kisumu-Busia road bringing the total number of deaths to 15.
The victims succumbed to their injuries at the Siaya County Referral Hospital.
According to the hospital’s medical superintendent Dr. Liech Odoyo, the survivors are still recuperating following the horrific incident.
“There are no more missing victims as they have all been accounted for.” said Dr. Odoyo.
Due to the sensitivity of the matter, a DNA examination will be conducted Tuesday.
“DNA examinations will be conducted on Tuesday to ascertain the identity of the victims.” he said.
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 contents 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.” said Chacha this past Sunday after the incident.
The victims were admitted at Siaya county referral hospital, Inuka hospital and at Yala sub county hospital.
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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