Three critically injured following fuel tanker explosion in Uganda

KAMPALA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were critically injured after a fuel tanker exploded Wednesday night following a head-on collision on a highway in central Ugandan, police said Thursday.

Ugandan Police Spokesperson Emilian Kayima said in a statement that the huge explosion occurred following a head-on collision between the fuel tanker and a truck in the central Ugandan district of Mpigi.

He said the two vehicles overturned when the fuel tanker tried to avoid a head-on collision with the truck carrying green bananas and charcoal, resulting into an explosion and paralyzing the traffic for hours.

"Our fire brigade and rescue services fought and put out the fire after about two hours," said Kayima.

The three critically-burnt victims are currently on life support at the Rubaga Hospital in capital Kampala.

Uganda registers at least 20,000 accidents with over 2,000 deaths each year, making it one of the countries with the highest road accident fatality rates in the world, according to police figures. Enditem