Mozambique authorities investigate tanker explosion that killed 60

After an oil tanker exploded in Mozambique exploded killing at least 60 people and injuring more than 100, authorities said the media that they have launched a probe into the incident to establish whether locals were illegally taking petrol from the tanker. The blast occurred in Tete province in the country’s remote western region near Malawi. Authorities recovered about 60 bodies by last Friday. Government spokesman Mouzinho Saide said at a press conference in Maputo that about 108 people were injured, 96 of whom are still being kept in for treatment at Tete Provincial Hospital.  

Saide added that the cabinet has created a commission of inquiry to investigate the circumstances, causes, and responsibilities for this accident.

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The oil tanker was in contact with the short circuit which led to an explosion

The truck was carrying petrol from Mozambique’s port city of Beira to neighbouring landlocked Malawi according to authorities. The authorities further stated that the driver took a detour and stopped close to the Malawi border in the village of Caphiridzange to sell petrol to local people, a common practice in Mozambique. Emilia Moiane, an Information Ministry Director told a news agency that the truck drivers were transferring petrol into a smaller truck and they fled when they noticed there was a short circuit. Locals who were unaware of the electrical accident rushed to the truck as they found it abandoned and the accident occurred, they added. Officials informed the media that the truck drivers were from Mozambique and Malawi respectively. 

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Responding to the incident,  President Filipe Nyusi told reporters that tragedy has knocked on Mozambique's door with the high loss of life. He further said that what is important now is to take action and help the affected. 

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Patients suffer severe burns

Footages shared on media showed badly burned children arriving for emergency care and adults lying on hospital beds in Tete. Tete hospital director Veronica de Deus told the media that there are a lot of cases in critical condition, including children and two pregnant women, out of 38 cases in total. She further informed media that the vast majority of patients have severe burns with many having 80 to 90 per cent of their bodies burnt. Following the incident, Mozambique heled three days of national mourning from Saturday to Monday. The dead were buried in mass graves. 

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(With inputs from agencies)