A tragic explosion of a fuel truck near Uganda’s capital, Kampala, has claimed the lives of 11 people, including two minors, police confirmed on Tuesday. The tanker, which was travelling from Kampala to Gulu, overturned and burst into flames in the town of Kigogwa, around 25 kilometres north of the capital.
The accident, which occurred at 3 pm local time (1200 GMT), saw people rush to the scene to siphon fuel before the tanker exploded. The Uganda Police Force stated that the victims were burnt beyond recognition.
Bystanders witnessed the disaster, with one describing the chaotic moments before the explosion: “People rushed to the truck. Some people had begun taking fuel in cans. Then we heard a loud sound, and smoke started coming towards us.” Several nearby shops and buildings were also destroyed in the blast.
This incident comes just days after a similar explosion in northern Nigeria killed over 170 people. Ugandan authorities have warned of the dangers of fuel tanker accidents, urging the public to exercise caution.
Investigations into the explosion are ongoing.