2010 South Kivu fuel tank explosion

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2010 South Kivu fuel tank explosion
Catastrophe de Sange, dans le territoire d'Uvira à l'Est de la Rd Congo8.jpg
Mass burial of victims of the "Catastrophe de Sange"
Date2 July 2010 (2010-07-02)
Location village, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Deaths230[1]
Non-fatal injuries196

The catastrophe of Sange was the explosion of a tank truck on 2 July 2010[2] in South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[3][4][5] The truck overturned in the village of and later exploded, resulting in at least 230 deaths and 196 injured.

Crash[]

The tanker overturned in the village of , near the Congo-Burundi border.[3] Mende Omalanga, the Democratic Republic of Congo's Minister of Communications, claimed that the tanker was trying to overtake a bus.[2] A local police officer reported that the driver was traveling at an "excessive speed".[3]

Explosion[]

An explosion occurred as villagers attempted to collect the fuel that was spilling from the overturned vehicle. "There was a crush (of people) and a petrol leak".[6] The minister of communications, Lambert Omalanga, said that one local resident was smoking a cigarette, a spark from which ignited the fuel.[2] Many mud and grass huts were destroyed in the subsequent fire.[7][8]

Among the dead were 36 women and 61 children.[9] Some of the injured had severe burn wounds.[10] A medical source said that the local hospitals "do not have necessary logistical materials to treat those who are seriously injured".[11]

It was initially reported that five of the dead were United Nations peacekeepers,[2] but this was reported later as being incorrect.[3]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Fuel tanker explosion kills over 230 in Congo", Reuters, July 3, 2010
  2. ^ a b c d "Hundreds killed, scores injured in Congo oil tanker explosion". CNN International. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d "DR Congo oil tanker blaze 'kills 270'". BBC News. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  4. ^ "Fuel tanker explosion kills 200 in Congo". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  5. ^ Manson, Katrina (3 July 2010). "Fuel tanker explosion kills 200 in Congo: governor". Reuters. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  6. ^ "Fuel tanker explosion kills 230 in Congo". RTÉ News. 3 July 2010.
  7. ^ "At least 100 die as fuel tanker explodes". Irish Examiner. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  8. ^ "Oil tanker explosion kills 200 in Congo". The Daily Telegraph. London. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  9. ^ "DR.Congo tanker fire kills 200: Red Cross". AFP. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  10. ^ "More than 200 killed in DR Congo oil tanker explosion". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  11. ^ "More Than 200 Killed In Congo Oil Tanker Explosion". Bernama. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.

Coordinates: 3°5′44″S 29°6′55″E / 3.09556°S 29.11528°E / -3.09556; 29.11528

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