Casualties reported after fuel tanker explodes along Eldoret-Webuye Highway
At least two people have been confirmed dead, with more than 10 others seriously injured after a fuel tanker exploded in the Juakali area
At least two people have been confirmed dead, with more than 10 others seriously injured after a fuel tanker exploded in the Juakali area near Paul Boit High School along the Eldoret-Webuye Road.
The two victims who died in the Thursday night incident were reportedly burnt beyond recognition, while several others sustained severe burns and were rushed to hospitals for treatment.
Uasin Gishu Police Commander Wilberforce Sichirani confirmed the incident, saying search and rescue operations were ongoing as the police worked to establish the exact number of casualties.
Sichirani said the circumstances surrounding the explosion were yet to be established, with investigations underway to determine what caused the tanker to burst into flames.
The Kenya Red Cross also confirmed the incident, describing it as a mass casualty event and stating that its emergency teams had been deployed to the scene.
“A mass casualty incident has occurred along the Eldoret-Webuye Road near Paul Boit Secondary School, following a petroleum tanker explosion,” the Kenya Red Cross said.
The humanitarian organisation said its teams were responding alongside the area police and firefighters as efforts to rescue and evacuate the victims continued into the night.
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According to the Kenya Red Cross, 10 casualties had been evacuated to various hospitals, with the evacuation facilitated by well-wishers, county ambulance services, firefighters and its emergency response teams.
The seriously injured victims, who suffered severe burns, were among those rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised medical attention.
Preliminary reports indicated that the victims, including the deceased, were among several people who had rushed to the scene to scoop fuel after the tanker was involved in an incident.
The victims were reportedly caught up in the fire when the tanker exploded moments after it overturned along the highway, resulting in severe burns and deaths.
Images and videos widely circulated on social media platforms showed the trailer engulfed in flames as residents watched the unfolding scene from a distance.
The explosion also triggered a massive traffic snarl-up along the busy Eldoret-Webuye highway, leaving motorists and other travellers stranded for several hours as rescue efforts continued.
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