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Mass grave for Kenya fire victims | Mass grave for Kenya fire victims |
(about 2 hours later) | |
At least 100 people who died in an oil tanker fire have been buried in a mass grave in the Kenyan town of Molo. | |
More than 130 people were killed when an overturned petrol tanker caught fire and exploded as hundreds of people collected the spilled fuel. | More than 130 people were killed when an overturned petrol tanker caught fire and exploded as hundreds of people collected the spilled fuel. |
Police and Red Cross workers struggled to hold back the large crowd which had gathered to witness the burial. | |
Women wailed and fainted as bulldozers covered the massive grave, before President Mwai Kibaki laid a wreath. | |
Some family members had protested against the decision to bury their kin in a mass grave, saying this is against their traditional beliefs. | |
Specialised treatment | |
The victims were buried in a mass grave less than 100m from the spot where the tanker caught fire. | |
President Kibaki warned the public against trying to siphon fuel from petrol tankers involved in accidents. | |
"What has happened in Molo has been a great lesson for Kenyans and we will help each other," Mr Odinga said. | |
The tanker fire occurred several days after a supermarket blaze killed at least 25 people in Nairobi. | The tanker fire occurred several days after a supermarket blaze killed at least 25 people in Nairobi. |
The authorities were criticised over the failure to address public safety in the fatal incidents. | The authorities were criticised over the failure to address public safety in the fatal incidents. |
President Kibaki is to preside over a fund-raising service for victims of the two fires on Tuesday. | |
About 200 people were injured during the tanker fire and at least 148 are still undergoing treatment. | About 200 people were injured during the tanker fire and at least 148 are still undergoing treatment. |
The government has pledged to pay the hospital bills for those injured, including covering fees for specialised surgery. | The government has pledged to pay the hospital bills for those injured, including covering fees for specialised surgery. |
The causes of the two fires have not been established and investigations are underway. | The causes of the two fires have not been established and investigations are underway. |
Reports say the tanker fire was either caused by a lit cigarette or started deliberately by people who had been prevented from collecting spilt fuel. | Reports say the tanker fire was either caused by a lit cigarette or started deliberately by people who had been prevented from collecting spilt fuel. |
Prime Minister Raila Odinga blamed the accident on prevalent poverty, saying it was "pushing our people into doing desperate things". |
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