Title: The explosion of a tank truck in Righini: A tragedy with devastating consequences
Introduction
On August 8, 2023, the commune of Lemba in Kinshasa was the scene of a tragedy caused by the explosion of a tank truck carrying fuel. The accident happened at the entrance to the Righini district, on the By Pass road, and had devastating consequences for the residents and surrounding businesses. In this article, we will come back to the circumstances of the incident, the human and material losses, as well as the impact on road traffic.
The drama of the explosion
Around 2 a.m., residents of the area were abruptly awakened by a violent explosion. A tank truck carrying fuel lost control and hit a power pole. The sparks from this collision quickly ignited a fire, which spread at lightning speed. Despite the intervention of firefighters, the fire could not be brought under control and continued to spread, reducing nearby homes and businesses to ashes.
Human and material losses
The first reports show two people dead and three others seriously injured, who were rushed to hospital. The victims are mainly residents of the vicinity of the Righini district. Search and rescue is still underway to ensure that there are no other people trapped under the rubble or injured by the blast.
On the material level, the damage is considerable. The houses and businesses in the area were ravaged by the flames, leaving many residents homeless and traders in a precarious situation. Economic losses are also significant, as many properties have been destroyed.
Impact on road traffic
In addition to the human and material losses, the explosion of the tank truck also had a major impact on road traffic. Due to the scale of the fire and the influx of witnesses to the scene, the section of road between the Campus UNIKIN triangle station and the Ngaba roundabout has become difficult to pass. Local authorities and law enforcement are mobilized to restore traffic and ensure people’s safety.
Conclusion
The explosion of the tank truck in Righini is a tragedy that has upset the commune of Lemba in Kinshasa. The human and material losses are considerable, leaving many inhabitants and traders in a difficult situation. The incident also disrupted road traffic in the area. Investigations are underway to understand the exact causes of the accident and to take the necessary measures to avoid such tragedies in the future