Residents of Mayanja in Kenya rushed to siphon fuel from a petroleum tanker that overturned along the Bungoma-Malaba Road on Sunday afternoon. The residents were seen carrying jerricans, plastic buckets, and other containers as they hurried to collect fuel from the overturned tanker. Several boda boda riders were also present at the scene, with their motorcycles parked nearby.
The scene quickly turned chaotic, with plumes of black smoke rising into the air. Later, a massive fire erupted after the overturned petroleum tanker exploded. Emergency responses were initiated, but the incident caused a heavy traffic snarl-up along the Bungoma-Malaba highway. The tanker had overturned at Mayanja, where a large crowd had gathered around the leaking vehicle before the fire broke out.
This incident is not an isolated case, as several people died after a tanker ferrying petrol overturned and burst into flames near Paul Boit High School along the Eldoret-Turbo road. Some residents who rushed to the scene to scoop fuel were caught up in the fire after the tanker exploded. The Kenya Red Cross reported that a mass casualty incident had occurred, and they were responding in collaboration with Kenya Police and firefighters.
The Uasin Gishu government has launched a sensitization drive aimed at educating residents on the dangers of fuel siphoning. The goal is to deter residents from moving near oil tankers involved in accidents. This move follows last week’s accident that left three people dead and 23 others injured in an oil tanker fire accident at Paul Boit along the Eldoret-Webuye road.
Eight of those injured in the previous accident are still admitted to the ICU at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. Residents have been urged to exercise caution during fuel tanker accidents, with boda boda operators accused of frustrating efforts by firefighters during such incidents. The county's fire department has advised members of the public to desist from rushing to siphon fuel whenever fuel tankers are involved in accidents.
Officials from the department said the biggest challenge during fire response is crowd management, chaos, and resistance from members of the public who attempt to scoop fuel. County director of fire and disaster management Fredrick Serem stated that some members of the public normally try to stop their team from doing their work, especially when they apply foam to weaken the petrol.
The authorities are working to prevent similar incidents in the future, but for now, the community is left to deal with the aftermath of the explosion. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with fuel tanker accidents and the importance of public education on safety protocols.
Key points
- A petroleum tanker overturned on Bungoma-Malaba Road, causing residents to rush and siphon fuel before a massive fire erupted.
- The incident is not an isolated case, as a similar accident near Paul Boit High School resulted in several deaths and injuries.
- The Uasin Gishu government has launched a sensitization drive to educate residents on the dangers of fuel siphoning.
