Tragegy

Eyewitness Recounts Events When Fuel Tanker Collided with Truck and Exploded Into Flames, Along Southern Bypass

2 min read

4 months ago Scott

A serious accident occurred on Saturday morning when a fuel tanker collided with a truck near Wilson Airport, resulting in a massive explosion that sent thick black smoke into the air and caused widespread panic along the busy highway.

According to eyewitnesses, the tanker veered off the road after the collision, landing on the left-hand side of the dual carriageway near Swaminarayan Street, just below the underpass. The subsequent fire blocked traffic in both directions, creating chaos for commuters.

One witness described the terrifying moment:
“The truck in front stalled on the climbing lane, and the fuel tanker tried to maneuver around it. Unfortunately, it hit the pavement, and the trailer’s towing head fell under the overpass. The driver escaped, but shortly after, the tanker erupted into flames.”

Emergency teams from the Kenya Airports Authority and Wilson Airport responded promptly, working to extinguish the fire and manage the disrupted traffic.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) issued a public advisory, confirming that the Southern Bypass would be temporarily closed to allow emergency crews to operate safely. Their statement read:
“One fuel tanker fell from the Southern Bypass onto the lower road and ignited, posing a serious fire and explosion risk. The road has been temporarily closed to ensure public safety and allow emergency response operations.”

The Kenya Red Cross confirmed the explosion, and authorities reported that one of the drivers tragically lost their life. Details about the deceased and the condition of others involved have not yet been released. Motorists have been urged to use alternative routes until the highway reopens.

Fuel tanker accidents are not uncommon in Kenya. Collisions, rollovers, or mechanical failures involving heavy trucks carrying fuel or other hazardous materials often lead to fires, explosions, and road closures, disrupting transport and endangering lives.