People help themselves as train carrying diesel derails in Blantyre
Scores of people in Blantyre rushed to Makata industrial site on Monday when news spread thet a a locomotive train belonging to Central East African Railways (CEAR) which was carrying 240,000 litres had derailed and it was spilling diesel.
The train, which had two locomotives and six wagons, was ferrying the fuel from Mozambique to Limbe when it detached upon reaching Mudi Area.
People carryingg Jerry Cans , gallons and buckets swammed the scene of the train to help themselves with fuel and many had filled up the buckets with fuel which wa sleaking from the flalen wagons.
But Police soon stopped the mob from helping themselves and Fire Brigade also arrived to prevent the fuel from exploiding.
CEAR spokesman Chisomo Mwamadi said each of the six wagons carried 40,000 liters of diesel.
Mwamadi explained that the two locomotives got disconnected while at Midima Dam Bridge and due to gradient, one locomotive and the six wagons started moving backwards and eventually overturned two kilometres away.
“To make sure everybody is safe, we immediately engaged the police and the city council who barricaded the area and two fire fighters were deployed in case of any fire explosion,” said Mwamadi.
Mwamadi further said nobody was injured in the accident and the company is yet to establish the cause of the accident and calculate the extent of damage.
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