Three Workers Burnt in Lusaka Fuel Tanker Blast
By Arnold Tutu
One person has died and two others have sustained serious burns following a fuel tanker explosion in Lusaka’s Industrial Area.
Zambia Police Spokesperson CHIPO KAITISHA says the incident happened on Monday, 26 October, at around 17:40 hours as three workers were transferring diesel from a faulty fuel tanker into another tanker.
Ms. KAITISHA says the tanker that developed a mechanical fault was carrying approximately 25,000 litres of diesel intended for delivery to a client.
She says the three workers were monitoring the fuel transfer from the top of the tanker when an explosion occurred around the top valves of the last compartment, leaving all three with severe burns.
Ms. KAITISHA has identified the victims as 43-year-old KONDANANI PHIRI of George Compound, 39-year-old PHILLIMON CHITALUSHA of Makeni Villa and 23-year-old PRINCE NGONGO of the Salima area in Matero.
She says all three victims were rushed to Matero Level One Hospital, where Mr. PHIRI, who was driving the hired tanker, later died while receiving treatment.
Ms. KAITISHA says the two surviving victims remain admitted to the same hospital, while the body of the deceased has been taken to the University Teaching Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.
She says police have opened an inquiry file and investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
(Image for illustration purposes only – BBC)