KENYA: Survivors of a fatal oil blaze talk about their ordeal from a Nairobi hospital

Record ID: 343897

  • Title: KENYA: Survivors of a fatal oil blaze talk about their ordeal from a Nairobi hospital
  • Date: 2nd February 2009
  • Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (FEBRUARY 1, 2009) (REUTERS) SIGN READING: "MOLO DISTRICT HOSPITAL" FRIENDS AND RELATIVES OF VICTIMS WAITING OUTSIDE HOSPITAL
  • Embargoed: 17th February 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
  • Reuters ID: LVA8YAO3K3OBR7R3JSDAFDB1Y6H3
  • Story Text: Survivors of a blaze that killed around 100 people in Kenya's Rift Valley recount the ordeal as they recover in a crowded hospital.
    Survivors of an oil-blaze that killed around 100 people in Kenya's Rift Valley, recounted their ordeals on Sunday (February 1) as they recovered in a crowded hospital in Molo district.
    One hundred and seventy eight people were burned and injured, in the incident which leaders said showed the desperation of poor Kenyans and the nation's lack of preparedness for accidents.
    Many of the victims received their burns as they tried to salvage the spilled oil.
    Regional authorities revised the death toll to 94 from 111 after difficulties counting the bodies in darkness on Saturday (January 31).
    When the oil tanker careered off the road, hundreds of locals ran to the scene with jerry-cans to try to scoop up some free fuel. The oil caught light and the blaze engulfed the crowd.
    Rescuers said someone may have accidentally dropped a cigarette.
    Many bodies were burned beyond recognition.
    Simon Mwangi was among those rushing for the spilled oil and even though he was some distance from the truck when it caught fire, he sustained burns.

    "We were far away when the police started stopping people from collecting the oil, we moved away. But after a while there was a big fire. It was so fierce that even when we ran it still got to us. When it got to me I jumped into the bushes and ran into the forest," Mwangi said.
    Many of the patients at the Molo hospital have to share beds as medical facilities in the area are overwhelmed.
    Christopher Kosgey, another victim suffered burns to his legs.

    "I was wearing nylon trousers, so I tried to take them off but they got stuck at my feet. So I removed my shoes but kept my trousers on and thought maybe I should jump into some water but thought it may damage my legs completely and I wouldn't be able to walk," said Kosgey.
    Anxious relatives milled around hospitals and the scorched area of the crash site, hoping to find their family.
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