Iganga, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Tragedy struck on the Iganga-Bugiri Road at Nabitovu when a catastrophic collision between a fuel tanker and a cement trailer led to a fiery inferno claiming two lives.
The incident unfolded when the fuel tanker driver lost control, veering across lanes and colliding head-on with the cement trailer.
The collision ignited an immediate blaze, engulfing both vehicles and trapping the occupants inside.
Sadly, the driver of the cement trailer and a female passenger were unable to escape the intense flames and were tragically burned beyond recognition.
In a stroke of fortune amidst the chaos, the fuel tanker driver managed to survive the ordeal, narrowly escaping with his life from the blazing wreckage.
Locals blamed the accident on reckless driving and the narrow road, which has been a concern for residents.
“The road is too narrow and drivers often speed recklessly, putting lives at risk,” said a witness.
Following the tragic collision on Iganga-Bugiri Road at Nabitovu, where a fuel tanker and cement trailer erupted in flames, authorities are grappling with the aftermath.
The charred remains of an unidentified woman have been transported to the hospital, while the identities of the deceased remain undisclosed as investigations continue.
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Busoga East Police spokesperson Ms. Dianah Nandaula confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.
The incident, reminiscent of past tragedies in the area, occurred on a notorious stretch of road where locals, amidst the chaos, took advantage of spilled cement sacks under the guise of assisting with offloading.
This site has a grim history, with a similar fatal incident in the 1990s involving a fuel tanker, where locals tragically lost their lives attempting to gather spilled fuel.