This morning, chaos unfolded along the bustling Lira-Soroti highway when a fuel tanker, identified by its registration numbers SSD 321V/ SSD 320V, and carrying an undisclosed quantity of fuel on behalf of Kenya’s Narus Company Ltd, capsized and burst into flames.
The incident transpired as the tanker made its journey from Eldoret to Juba in South Sudan, precisely at the location of Gwengabara, situated within the Boroboro ward of Lira City East Division.
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As of now, the fate of the driver, Mohamed Ibrahim, a 32-year-old Kenyan national, remains shrouded in mystery. Fortunately, eyewitnesses have reported no casualties.
Thomas Ogwal Ochol, a Catechist at St. Philips Church of Uganda Gwengabara, located near the accident site, recounted how they successfully safeguarded church property and ensured the safety of individuals in the vicinity during the fiery ordeal.
Another eyewitness, Kilara Okwanga, shared that she was jolted awake by a deafening explosion, just moments before an individual, presumably the driver, urgently knocked on her door, signaling the need to evacuate her residence.
Despite her courageous efforts, Kilara suffered losses, including household possessions, bags of groundnuts, maize, and cash, all removed from her home as a precaution. She was only able to salvage a metal box containing funds belonging to her Village Saving Group.
Jimmy Patrick Okema, the spokesperson for North Kyoga Police, affirmed that, at present, there have been no reported instances of property loss. He also reassured that investigations are actively underway to ascertain the root cause of this unfortunate accident.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder, echoing a similar occurrence in June of this year, when a similar truck overturned and ignited in Myene sub-county, Oyam district.
In that case, providence smiled upon both occupants, including the driver, as they narrowly escaped the vehicle, averting a potential tragedy of significant proportions.
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