Petrol tanker explosion claims 4 more

Four more petrol explosion victims have died, bringing to seven the number of people killed in the Sunningdale tragedy. The four succumbed to injuries they sustained when a fuel tanker they were siphoning petrol from burst into flames.

The incident occurred last Saturday night and killed mostly Sunningdale residents and other passers-by who were scrambling for free petrol. The four died while receiving treatment at Harare Central Hospital. Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau yesterday confirmed the deaths.

He added that their names would be released once their next of kin have been advised. “They died as a result of serious burns sustained during the inferno. The four were admitted at Harare Central Hospital,” he said. Insp Sabau said 13 people were still admitted at the hospital.

Last Saturday three people were killed in the inferno while an unknown number was reportedly burnt to ashes. Sixteen others were seriously burnt and were rushed to Harare Central Hospital. A commuter omnibus and a private car were also reduced to shells as they caught fire following the explosion. The occupants, however, escaped unhurt.

ZBC Spot FM radio presenter Valentine Mabhugu and his friend escaped with injuries after their car was extensively damaged when they passed through the scene.

“We were driving along the road with my friend when we saw a haulage truck that had overturned and we saw people gathered and we stopped to see what was happening. The haulage truck driver was trying to warn people to move away from the truck as it could explode anytime. As we were driving away the truck exploded and we were slightly burnt but our car was extensively damaged,” Mabhugu told B-Metro this week.

National Traffic police spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome, yesterday said the tanker burst into flames after an accident involving a private car along Boshoff Road. The haulage truck was heading towards Mbare along Boshoff Road and on approaching an intersection, there was a private car that intended to turn right.

In a bid to avoid the car, the load of the haulage truck overturned. Fuel started gushing out and people who had come to witness realised the leakage and wanted to maximise on this. The driver of the haulage truck warned the residents to stay away, but they did not take heed. A few minutes later, the tanker exploded resulting in three casualties.