Congo Oil Tanker Explosion Kills 200

An oil tanker explosion killed at least 200 people in eastern Congo and left over 110 injured.
Congo Oil Tanker Explosion Kills 200
The burnt-out wreckage of an oil tanker lies on its side following an explosion in Sange, Democratic Republic of Congo on July 3. The explosion killed over 200 people and injured over 110. STR/Getty Images
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<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/truck102609830__.jpg" alt="The burnt-out wreckage of an oil tanker lies on its side following an explosion in Sange, Democratic Republic of Congo on July 3. The explosion killed over 200 people and injured over 110.   (STR/Getty Images)" title="The burnt-out wreckage of an oil tanker lies on its side following an explosion in Sange, Democratic Republic of Congo on July 3. The explosion killed over 200 people and injured over 110.   (STR/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1817801"/></a>
The burnt-out wreckage of an oil tanker lies on its side following an explosion in Sange, Democratic Republic of Congo on July 3. The explosion killed over 200 people and injured over 110.   (STR/Getty Images)
An oil tanker explosion killed at least 200 people in eastern Congo and over 110 injured were transported to a nearby hospital by the United Nations mission by a first aid helicopter. According to the BBC, the fuel oil tanker overturned in the village of Sange near the country’s eastern border probably due to the truck’s “excessive speed” said a police officer based in Bukavu.

The official also said that many of the villagers who surrounded the vehicle before it exploded were children and sport fans enthusiasts who were watching the world cup soccer game on TV. Some others were killed trying to steal fuel that was pouring throughout the village before the explosion, government spokesperson Vincent Kabanga told Reuters. Accidents like this are not uncommon in the region because people try to steal spilled oil.

According to the U.N., no peacekeepers were killed in the explosion.

The truck was on its way carrying fuel from the city of Bukavu to the town of Uvira.