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At least 73 killed in fuel truck explosion in Mozambique | At least 73 killed in fuel truck explosion in Mozambique |
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At least 73 were killed and another 110 suffered severe burns when a truck carrying petrol blew up in Mozambique, the country's government has said. | At least 73 were killed and another 110 suffered severe burns when a truck carrying petrol blew up in Mozambique, the country's government has said. |
"The incident occurred when citizens tried to take petrol from a truck" in a small village in Tete province, the statement said. | "The incident occurred when citizens tried to take petrol from a truck" in a small village in Tete province, the statement said. |
"Because of the heat, the truck burst into flames, leading to the deaths of 43 people and causing burns in 110 others, according to investigators' initial findings," it added. | "Because of the heat, the truck burst into flames, leading to the deaths of 43 people and causing burns in 110 others, according to investigators' initial findings," it added. |
Initial government reports said 43 people were killed, but the death roll later rose to 73. | |
"Ambulances and medical personnel were deployed to the scene in order to assist the victims. The injured were evacuated to Tete hospital," the government statement said. | |
The truck was transporting fuel to Malawi from the port city of Beira and was near the border when the accident occured, it added. | |
Authorities are probing whether the truck was selling petrol when it exploded, or whether it had been ambushed by residents, information ministry director Joao Manasses told AFP. | Authorities are probing whether the truck was selling petrol when it exploded, or whether it had been ambushed by residents, information ministry director Joao Manasses told AFP. |
Mozambique is one of the world's poorest countries and constantly struggles with food shortages caused by drought. | |