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Death toll in South Sudan oil tanker blast rises to 182 | Death toll in South Sudan oil tanker blast rises to 182 |
(35 minutes later) | |
The death toll from an oil tanker explosion in Western Equatoria state, South Sudan, this week has risen to 182, according to a regional official. | The death toll from an oil tanker explosion in Western Equatoria state, South Sudan, this week has risen to 182, according to a regional official. |
The blast occurred in the town of Maridi on Wednesday as crowds gathered around the vehicle to siphon oil after it veered off the road. | The blast occurred in the town of Maridi on Wednesday as crowds gathered around the vehicle to siphon oil after it veered off the road. |
An official had previously warned the death toll could continue to rise as the country did not have adequate facilities to treat the burns. | An official had previously warned the death toll could continue to rise as the country did not have adequate facilities to treat the burns. |
“We are on the ground evacuating some serious cases to a safe location for medical attention,” Wilson Thomas Yanga, Maridi county commissioner, said. | “We are on the ground evacuating some serious cases to a safe location for medical attention,” Wilson Thomas Yanga, Maridi county commissioner, said. |
Such incidents have happened before in the east African region where oil tankers often have to travel long distances along potholed roads and pass through poor communities. | Such incidents have happened before in the east African region where oil tankers often have to travel long distances along potholed roads and pass through poor communities. |
There are few tarmac roads in South Sudan, one of Africa’s poorest states, which has been mired in conflict since December 2013. Rebels and the government signed a peace deal in August, although the ceasefire has since been violated. | There are few tarmac roads in South Sudan, one of Africa’s poorest states, which has been mired in conflict since December 2013. Rebels and the government signed a peace deal in August, although the ceasefire has since been violated. |
A said the tanker explosion was not related to the conflict. “This was an accident,” Ateny Wek Ateny said. | |
In June 2013, at least 30 people were killed and scores injured when a broken-down oil tanker exploded on a highway in Uganda while they were trying to siphon oil. | In June 2013, at least 30 people were killed and scores injured when a broken-down oil tanker exploded on a highway in Uganda while they were trying to siphon oil. |
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