This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-63359145

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Kilimanjaro: Firefighters tackle blaze on Tanzania mountain Kilimanjaro: Firefighters containing blaze on Tanzania mountain
(about 20 hours later)
Firefighters in Tanzania are battling to extinguish a blaze on Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, local officials say. Emergency workers battling to extinguish a fire on the slopes of Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, have managed to contain parts of it, an official says.
The fire started on Friday night along one of the mountain's most popular climbing routes. "We have seen great success in controlling the fire," said Prof Eliamani Sedoyeka from Tanzania's natural resources and tourism ministry.
Giant flames and plumes of smoke could be seen on the slopes, witnesses in the area told BBC Swahili. The fire started on Friday night near one of the mountain's most popular climbing routes.
It is not clear how the fire started or how much forest has been burned. No casualties have been reported. It is not clear how the fire started.
The fire comes two years after a week-long inferno destroyed thousands of hectares of woodland on Mount Kilimanjaro's slopes.
Videos posted on social media on Saturday appeared to show large flames and a blanket of smoke engulfing parts of the forest surrounding the mountain.Videos posted on social media on Saturday appeared to show large flames and a blanket of smoke engulfing parts of the forest surrounding the mountain.
Efforts are continuing in #Tanzania to extinguish a fire that has broken out in Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. The source of the fire is yet to be disclosed. pic.twitter.com/0AYWMnVyIxEfforts are continuing in #Tanzania to extinguish a fire that has broken out in Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. The source of the fire is yet to be disclosed. pic.twitter.com/0AYWMnVyIx
The regional police chief, quoted by AFP news agency, said he could not yet say how big the fire was. Hundreds of emergency workers and volunteers flocked to the site to help with efforts to contain the fire.
But a plane sent to the site of the fire was unable to land due to the huge clouds and thick smoke, Kilimanjaro regional head Nurdin Babu told local reporters. Around 500 people, including firefighters, national park staff, tour guides and civilians were said to be at the scene on Sunday, Tanzanian newspaper Mwananchi reported.
Subsequently, more than 300 people were sent to the scene to help get the blaze under control, according to the Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa). As well as emergency workers, including firefighters and police, wildlife park rangers and tourism company employees were taking part in the effort to bring the fire under control, it said. It added that the army had been asked to come and assist with efforts to contain the fire.
But speaking to reporters on Sunday, Prof Sedoyeka said that thanks to the efforts of emergency workers and volunteers, large parts of the fire have now been contained.
He added that he hoped the fire would be completely under control by Sunday evening.
No casualties have so far been reported.
Speaking to the BBC, a member of a local tour operator helping with the efforts to extinguish the fire, Abraham Moshi, said the fire had not spread to footpaths or campsites on the mountain, decreasing the risk of casualties.
The fire comes two years after a week-long inferno destroyed thousands of hectares of woodland on Mount Kilimanjaro's slopes.
Mount Kilimanjaro, which is 5,895m (19,341ft) high is a popular tourist destination and tens of thousands of people climb it every year.Mount Kilimanjaro, which is 5,895m (19,341ft) high is a popular tourist destination and tens of thousands of people climb it every year.
You may also be interested in:You may also be interested in:
Mount Kilimanjaro fire: Firefighters struggle to contain Tanzania blaze in 2020Mount Kilimanjaro fire: Firefighters struggle to contain Tanzania blaze in 2020
Mount Kilimanjaro fire: Firefighters struggle to contain Tanzania blaze in 2020Mount Kilimanjaro fire: Firefighters struggle to contain Tanzania blaze in 2020