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Firefighters Battle to Contain Tanzania Mountain Blaze

Emergency workers and firefighters have contained a raging fire that broke out on the slopes of Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.

The fire, the source of which is yet to be established, broke out near the Karanga Camp located 3,963 metres above sea level through the Mweka route.

“We have seen great success in controlling the fire,” said Prof Eliamani Sedoyeka from Tanzania’s natural resources and tourism ministry.

The fire started on Friday night near one of the mountain’s most popular climbing routes.

Videos went viral on social media on Saturday showing large flames and a blanket of smoke engulfing parts of the forest surrounding the mountain.

Several emergency workers and volunteers thronged to the location to assist with putting out the fire.

Around 500 people, including firefighters, national park staff, tour guides and civilians were said to be at the scene on Sunday.

Reports indicate that the army had been asked to come and assist with efforts to contain the fire.

During a press briefing, Professor Sedoyeka said that with the combined efforts of emergency workers and volunteers, large parts of the fire have now been contained.

No casualties have so far been reported and the cause of the fire is yet to be established.

The fire comes two years after a week-long inferno ravaged swathes of woodland on slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Annually, Mount Kilimanjaro, which is 5.895km high attracts thousands of tourist.

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