ADVERTISEMENT

Police say 10 killed in Uganda after fuel tanker explodes

August 19, 2019 12:39 pm | Updated 12:39 pm IST - KAMPALA (Uganda):

Accidents involving fuel tankers are especially dangerous as sometimes people gather around the damaged vehicles to scoop fuel into plastic cans.

Ugandan police say 10 people have been killed in an explosion following an accident involving a fuel tanker in western Uganda.

Police said in a statement on Monday that the explosion happened Sunday after a fuel tanker lost control and rammed two commuter taxis and a saloon car. The statement said that “three smaller secondary explosions” of vehicles parked nearby followed, and several shops also caught fire.

Lethal traffic accidents frequently happen in the region, where roads are often narrow and potholed. Ugandan police usually blame motor accidents on speeding drivers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Accidents involving fuel tankers are especially dangerous as sometimes people gather around the damaged vehicles to scoop fuel into plastic cans.

Scores were killed in Tanzania earlier in August when a damaged fuel tanker exploded as people swarmed around it.

This is a Premium article available exclusively to our subscribers. To read 250+ such premium articles every month
You have exhausted your free article limit.
Please support quality journalism.
You have exhausted your free article limit.
Please support quality journalism.
The Hindu operates by its editorial values to provide you quality journalism.
This is your last free article.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT