Police have said the number of people who died in a fire that broke out after an explosion of a fuel tanker at Kigogwa along the Kampala- Bombo has reached 26.
Today Monday, Kituuma Rusoke, the Uganda police spokesperson, informed press that although the number of fatalities was remained 24 at the end of Sunday, two more people had since died.
“By yesterday evening, two more victims died at Kiruddu hospital to bring the death toll to 26,” Kituuma said.
He said of the 26, 20 are males and six are females.
Following DNA testing to help identify the victims, the government began transferring the bodies of the deceased to their immediate family members yesterday Sunday.
According to Rusoke, police need a DNA test to assist identify the deceased and their family because they had been burned beyond recognition.
He said so far, 22 bodies have been taken by the deceased’s relatives with only four still remaining.
The government recently said that impacted families would receive Shs5 million for each person who lost a loved one and Shs1 million for those undergoing treatment.
Police are still investigating circumstances under which the fuel tanker exploded after being involved in an accident burning a number of people who had come to siphon fuel.
Many other victims were caught up in the fire that also gutted the nearby businesses, including shops in Kigoogwa town.
It has been reported that the fire stemmed from a nearby charcoal stove.
