Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Kenya Oil Tanker Blast Kills 111

Explosion occurred as resident scramble for free fuel

By Amelia Atlas,  Newser User

Posted Feb 1, 2009 4:49 AM CST

(Newser) – At least 111 people were killed when a truck transporting oil crashed and exploded in central Kenya last night, reports Reuters. The explosion, one of the worst recent disasters in eastern Africa, occurred just as Rift Valley residents crowded around the crippled tanker to gather spilling fuel. Rescuers speculated that someone may have accidentally dropped a cigarette, but also suspected that the fire may have been deliberately set by an angry resident blocked from the scene by police.

This is the second large-scale lethal fire in Kenya this week, leading the local media to attack the government's poor safety standards and emergency preparation. Rescue operations continued through the night as authorities searched for more bodies. "My two sons ran home, picked some jerry cans and ran to get some petrol. Now I cannot trace them," said one grieving woman.


A burned petrol tanker lies on its side on Molo Road in Molo, several hours outside Nairobi, Kenya, today.
A burned petrol tanker lies on its side on Molo Road in Molo, several hours outside Nairobi, Kenya, today.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
The wreckages of a van and a petrol tanker, center, sit on Molo Road in Molo, several hours outside Nairobi, Kenya, today.
The wreckages of a van and a petrol tanker, center, sit on Molo Road in Molo, several hours outside Nairobi, Kenya, today.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
A burnt petrol tanker lies on its side on Molo Road in Molo today. The tanker exploded Saturday as hundreds of people tried to scoop up free fuel.
A burnt petrol tanker lies on its side on Molo Road in Molo today. The tanker exploded Saturday as hundreds of people tried to scoop up free fuel.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
Red Cross workers take the names of people missing from relatives yesterday at the scene of an accident in Molo, Kenya, where an overturned petrol tanker exploded.
Red Cross workers take the names of people missing from relatives yesterday at the scene of an accident in Molo, Kenya, where an overturned petrol tanker exploded.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
Badly burned people receive treatment in Nakuru, Kenya, today. An overturned petrol tanker exploded yesterday as hundreds of people were trying to scoop up free fuel.
Badly burned people receive treatment in Nakuru, Kenya, today. An overturned petrol tanker exploded yesterday as hundreds of people were trying to scoop up free fuel.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Pipeline Explodes in Kenya Slum, Leaving Sea of Bodies

Kenya Mourns Double Tragedy That Killed 136

2nd Opposition Lawmaker Shot Dead in Kenya


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne