Mozambique fuel truck explosion: 73 dead, 100s injured

The death toll from a fuel truck explosion in Mozambique shot up to 73 people with reports indicating that scores of other people were injured.

An earlier report had pegged the deaths at 43 and a hundred wounded. But the government corrected it in the early evening.

“The incident occurred when citizens tried to take gas from a tanker” in Caphiridzange, in the western Tete province, a few dozen kilometers from the border with the Malawi, a statement from the council of ministers said.

“With the heat, the truck caught fire, killing, according to the first results of the investigation, 43 people and burning 110 others, including adults and children,” the text said.

“Ambulances and medical personnel were sent to assist the victims and the wounded were evacuated to Tete Hospital,” the government said.

The authorities are asking whether the truck was selling gasoline or whether it was stormed by the population, the head of the Ministry of Information, Joao Manasses, told AFP.

The government is expected to dispatch a ministerial delegation on Friday to ensure the smooth running of the relief and rescue efforts.