Warning, graphic images: Petrol tanker overturns in Malawi, explodes and kills one
A Tanzanian petrol tanker enroute to Malawi’s northern city of Mzuzu overturned at Chiweta Trading Centre in Rumphi killing one person and seriously injuring several people who had flocked to the tanker to steal fuel Wednesday
evening.
The deceased is yet to be identified, according to Sergeant Ziba of ChiwetaPolice Unit in the district.
However, he said the petrol loaded tanker belonging to MEC-ONE Industries in Tanzania with a Horse registration number T699DMF, trailer registration number T8526HF overturned after the driver had failed to negotiate a corner.
Ziba said when darkness had fallen; some people who had wanted to steal the fuel engaged in running battles with the police who were on the scene.
“They defied orders not to come close to the tanker that they started stealing the fuel. In the process, the tanker accidentally caught fire that burnt to death the deceased and seriously injuring several,” Ziba said.
He said the injured had been referred to Livingstonia Mission Hospital.
Police identified the injured as Jane Mkorongo, 43, of Muzangoya Village T/A Waasambo in Karonga, Matambuli Nyasulu, 45, of Manombo Village T/A Mwalweni in Rumphi, Giko Mhango, 24, of Kamphani village T/a Mwamlowe in Rumphi, Tionge Makwakwa,21, of Mtombolwa, T/A Mwamlowa in Rumphi.
Ziba also identified other victims as Beauty Nyrenda 19, Mestina Nyirenda, 48, Daston Mtawali, 39, Oswald Mhango, 40, Pesy Gondwe,36.
In addition, he said the fire also damaged the house of Vick Chisenga,39, a bar of Kaperemera Harawa,47.
He said the cause of the fire and the cost of the damage is yet to be established.
No person has died nor injured there. Tumbukas are not people. They are thieves. Selfish animals. They are pathetic tribalistic hyenas.
Atumbuka kuzlowera kubha! Ngati Lootepo ndi Kasambava. Ndi akazi omwe…shaa! May his soul rest in peace.
The next similar incident due to negligence and ignorance will be fire in a minibus because the owners bought petrol in a jerrican can stored it in the minibus with passengers. We see this everyday but authorities say nothing.
Main cause for ignoring the dangers of leaking fuel is mainly poverty
I do not fully understand why most of us do not fully capture the dangers of leaking fuel and flames. Could this be linked to ignorance or levels of poverty that turn most of us into scavengers, taking advantage of such situations! 1) Ignorance is one factor indeed 2) Poverty levels are biting us a lot and everybody wants to make a kill in one goal. To our colleagues in hospital, sorry, get well soon as you nurse fire-burn wounds. To our colleagues who lost a house and bar respectively we say, ‘sorry’. To Jane, deacesed, Rest In Peace. It… Read more »