By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
At least eleven people including 9 adults and 2 minors have been confirmed dead in a fuel tanker accident in Kigogwa, Kampala, police reported.
The accident occured on Tuesday in Kigogwa Town along the Kampala-Bombo road when a fuel tanker, registration number UAM 292Q, which was en route from Kampala to Gulu. overturned and caught fire, resulting in the deaths of 11 people.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said the deceased were burnt beyond recognition.
Onyango said the majority of the victims were individuals who had rushed to the scene to siphon fuel from the overturned vehicle. Sadly, they were caught in the blaze when the tanker ignited.
Additionally, the fire caused extensive property damage.
“Four buildings, housing nine shops, were completely destroyed. Properties worth millions of shillings were lost in the inferno,” Onyango said.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, and the injured were rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment.
The police are conducting a fact-finding mission to determine the exact number of injured victims and their conditions. They added that the identities of the deceased have not yet been confirmed.
Residents blamed the accident on the sorry state of roads in the area, and appealed to the government to work on their roads.
