Tanzania tanker blast kills over 50 as crowd siphons fuel
- People were trying to siphon away fuel when the tanker burst into flames
- The explosion occurred in the eastern town of Morogoro
At least 60 people perished in Tanzania on Saturday when a fuel tanker overturned and then exploded as people rushed to siphon off leaking fuel.
The deadly blast, which took place near the town of Morogoro, west of the economic capital Dar es Salaam, is the latest in a series of similar disasters in Africa.
Morogoro governor Stephen Kebwe said the bodies of 60 victims were at the morgue of the local hospital, where more than 70 people were also being treated for injuries.
He warned that the toll could rise with victims possibly trapped under the truck.
Regional police chief Willbrod Mtafungwa told reporters there was a “huge explosion” after the vehicle overturned.
Witnesses said they could see charred remains of motorcycle taxis and trees scorched by the power of the explosion.