Up to 30 feared dead in fuel tanker accident
Jun 30, 2013
AT least 29 people have been confirmed dead after an accident involving a fuel tanker occurred on Saturday night at Namungoona
By Henry Sekanjako
AT least 29 people have been confirmed dead after an accident involving a fuel tanker occurred on Saturday night at Namungoona Kasubi along the Northern Bypass.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police commander Andrew Felix Kaweesi, a fire broke out after the accident leaving 29 others critically injured. The injured were rushed to Mulago Hospital for treatment.
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What is left of the cars is towed from the scene of an accident. Photo by Matthias Mugisha
The burnt out car (C) which rammed into the rear of the tanker (R) causing fuel to leak. Photo by Matthias Mugisha
However Kaweesi said the death toll is expected to rise.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the cause of the fire was a result of an accident involving a station wagon (Toyota Noah) registration number UAS 374C white in color which rammed into a moving fuel tanker Reg No. KBL 361B white in color,” said Kaweesi.
Kaweesi made the remarks this morning while addressing journalists at the central police station in Kampala about the accident.
What is left of the cars is towed from the scene of an accident. Photo by Matthias Mugisha
He explained that the accident between the two cars caused damage at the rear side of the tank resulting into fuel spilling onto the road and down into the papyrus swamp on the left which had water and a paved channel on the right .
Kaweesi said the fire also left over 20 motorcycles (bodabodas) destroyed and 11 others severely damaged.
An abandoned helmet next to a burnt out motorcycle at the scene of an accident. Photo by Matthias Mugisha
State House sent out a message to Ugandans in which it said President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was saddened by the loss of lives.
Museveni has been in Dar es Salaam participating in the Smart Partnership International Dialogue but is closely monitoring.
The statement
"Dear Ugandans, I have learnt with great shock of the tragedy in which vehicles have been burnt by a fuel tanker at Namungona causing loss of lives. Am closely monitoring efforts of the Police and Health workers at the scene."
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The interior of the car that rammed into the fuel tanker to cause the leak. Photo by Matthias Mugisha
While police is trying to establish the identities of the dead, they have issued a list of names for the injured persons that are currently receiving treatment at Mulago Hospital.
They Include;
1. Isa Kamulegeya
2. Sharif Muhammad
3. Joel Sesanga
4. Ashiraf Kayira
5. Nathan Mukasa
6. Sharif Mugambe
7. Mansam Kakeeto
8. Joseph Ssalo
9. Ronald Matovu
10. Sowedi Nsubuga
11. Godwin Gidudu
12. Sadat Ssengendo
13. Mansur Kakeeto
14. John Mugamba
15. Gerald Jemba
16. Batambulire
17. Peter Ssekamate
18. Christom Sennonon
19. Charles Byambika
20. Joseph Baleja
21. Robert Ngobi
22. Stanley Salongo
23. Muhammad Akugizibwe
24. Godfrey Sserungi
25. Nyanzi Tebesigwa
26. Patrick Serunkuma
27. Peter Sekatembe
28. Hussein Nsubuga