- Title: KENYA: Oil blaze victims are flown to Nairobi for treatment
- Date: 2nd February 2009
- Summary: MEDICAL WORKERS STANDING AT PLANE AMBULANCE LEAVING AIRPORT
- Embargoed: 17th February 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
- Reuters ID: LVA7BTDGJIW9FLA5H1ZCILRYR6BJ
- Story Text: About 30 victims of an oil fire in Kenya's Rift Valley are airlifted in military planes for specialised treatment in the capital Nairobi.
About 30 victims of an oil fire in Kenya's Rift Valley were flown to the capital Nairobi for specialised treatment on Sunday (February 1) after suffering severe burns.
Oil had spilled from a truck and caught fire, killing around 100 people in one of the east African nation's worst disasters of recent times.
Regional authorities on the scene revised the death toll down to 94 from 111 after difficulties counting the charred bodies under darkness at the scene in the town of Molo on Saturday (January 31) night.
The Red Cross said 110 had died, a health minister said 97, and police gave a toll of 91.
"There are people who may still be, whose bodies are charred down there who have not yet been found so but what you have seen, is, we can call it a very terrible accident. We have left other people in Hospital in Nakuru and more aircraft are being sent down to evacuate them. There are people who are very badly injured and arrangements have been made by the government to take them to various hospitals in the country," said Kenya's Prime Minister, Raila Odinga who had come from the site in Molo.
Officials said the number of injured were 178, and medical facilities in the area were overwhelmed.
A truck crashed near Molo on Saturday evening, spilling oil that burst into flames as hundreds of locals crowded round in search of free fuel.
Many bodies were burned beyond recognition.
Rescuers said someone may have accidentally dropped a cigarette.
After the truck careered off the road passers by descended on the vehicle in the hope of scooping up petrol, witnesses said.
Rescue operations went on through the night.
Government ministers visited the scene on Sunday morning and prayed with victims in hospital.
A supermarket fire killed at least 25 people in Nairobi earlier this week. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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