Two killed after fuel tanker explodes on Eldoret-Webuye highway

 

Two people have died after a fuel tanker overturned and exploded on the Eldoret-Webuye highway, with 10 casualties taken to hospital.

 

The tanker overturned near Paul Boit Secondary School in the Kapkong area at about 8.20pm on Thursday after colliding with another vehicle travelling from the Webuye direction, Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Wilberforce Sicharani said.

 

The tanker had been travelling from Eldoret when it lost control, police said.

 

Fuel spilled from the overturned tanker and people gathered at the scene, with some attempting to collect it. The tanker then caught fire and exploded, injuring people nearby.

 

Two bodies had been recovered by Friday morning as police continued searching the area for possible additional casualties, Sicharani said.

 

The Kenya Red Cross described the explosion as a mass-casualty incident.

 

“A mass casualty incident has occurred along the Eldoret-Webuye road near Paul Boit Secondary School, following a petroleum tanker explosion,” it said.

 

The Red Cross said 10 casualties had been evacuated to various hospitals, with the evacuations assisted by county ambulance services, firefighters, well-wishers and its emergency teams.

 

“The incident was contained through a multi-agency response,” it said.

 

Police, firefighters, county ambulance teams and the Red Cross worked at the scene through the night as casualties were evacuated and the area secured.

 

The Red Cross urged motorists to avoid the area to allow emergency teams unhindered access.

 

Police were continuing to establish the full number of casualties and what caused the fire.

 

The incident also showed the danger of approaching an overturned fuel tanker. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority warns the public not to siphon fuel from overturned tankers because petroleum is highly flammable and can put people nearby at risk.

 

Kenyan law requires vehicles transporting petroleum in bulk to have a valid petroleum permit and requires tanker drivers to be certified for the work.

 

The highway was later cleared and traffic resumed.