60 Killed, scores injured Saturday morning fuel tanker explosion in Morogoro, Tanzania

At least 60 killed in fuel tanker explosion in Tanzania

Charles Ouma

August 10, 2019 12:37 PM

Sad

File image of a fuel tanker on fire

At least 60 people have been confirmed dead and 70 left with injuries in a fuel tanker explosion in Tanzania.

Reports indicate that the tanker flipped over on Saturday morning in Morogoro region, about 200 km (124 miles) west of the port city of Dar es Salaam before bursting into flames.

Among those who perished in the tragedy are local residents who were reportedly siphoning fuel from the overturned tanker before it exploded.

Images and videos taken at the scene of the accident show charred bodies lying on the ground.

Government spokesman Hassan Abbasi confirmed the sad incident.

“We have been saddened by reports of an accident involving a fuel truck in Morogoro, which caught fire and burned several people,” Abbasi wrote on Twitter.

A section of the press quoted Morogoro regional police boss confirming that "There was a big blast which has so far killed at least 57 people," mainly people trying to collect leaking fuel.”

There are fears that the number of casualties could rise.

Below is a video of rescue efforts at the scene of the accident courtesy of TRT world.