2010 South Kivu fuel tank explosion

The catastrophe of Sange was the explosion of a tank truck on 2 July 2010[2] in South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[3][4][5] The truck overturned in the village of Sange and later exploded, resulting in at least 230 deaths and 196 injured.

2010 South Kivu fuel tank explosion
Mass burial of victims of the "Catastrophe de Sange"
Date2 July 2010 (2010-07-02)
LocationSange village, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Deaths230[1]
Non-fatal injuries196

Crash

The tanker overturned in the village of Sange, near the Congo-Burundi border.[3] Mende Omalanga, the Democratic Republic of Congo's Minister of Communications, claimed that the tanker was trying to overtake a bus.[2] A local police officer reported that the driver was traveling at an "excessive speed".[3]

Explosion

An explosion occurred as villagers attempted to collect the fuel that was spilling from the overturned vehicle. "There was a crush (of people) and a petrol leak".[6] Omalanga said that one local resident was smoking a cigarette, a spark from which ignited the fuel.[2] Many mud and grass huts were destroyed in the subsequent fire.[7][8]

Among the dead were 36 women and 61 children.[9] Some of the injured had severe burn wounds.[10] A medical source said that the local hospitals "do not have necessary logistical materials to treat those who are seriously injured".[11]

It was initially reported that five of the dead were United Nations peacekeepers,[2] but this was reported later as being incorrect.[3]

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See also

References
  1. "Fuel tanker explosion kills over 230 in Congo", Reuters, July 3, 2010
  2. "Hundreds killed, scores injured in Congo oil tanker explosion". CNN International. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  3. "DR Congo oil tanker blaze 'kills 270'". BBC News. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  4. "Fuel tanker explosion kills 200 in Congo". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  5. Manson, Katrina (3 July 2010). "Fuel tanker explosion kills 200 in Congo: governor". Reuters. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  6. "Fuel tanker explosion kills 230 in Congo". RTÉ News. 3 July 2010.
  7. "At least 100 die as fuel tanker explodes". Irish Examiner. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  8. "Oil tanker explosion kills 200 in Congo". The Daily Telegraph. London. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  9. "DR.Congo tanker fire kills 200: Red Cross". AFP. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  10. "More than 200 killed in DR Congo oil tanker explosion". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  11. "More Than 200 Killed In Congo Oil Tanker Explosion". Bernama. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.

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