Kenyans Mourn Fire Victims but Want Answers From Government
Blazes kill at least 130; Kenyans question government's emergency preparedness.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb. 2, 2009 — -- With more than 130 people killed in two deadly fires last week, Kenyans began this week in mourning.
The government called for five days of official mourning, after an overturned oil tanker truck exploded Saturday, killing at least 115 people and injuring nearly 200.
On Wednesday, a blaze at a supermarket in Nairobi killed close to 30 people.
Flags throughout the country were lowered to half-staff and official functions were put on hold until next week.
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and his delegation, which is currently in Ethiopia attending the African Union Summit, are scheduled to return early because of the tragedies. African leaders expressed their condolences, along with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who reportedly said during the summit's opening session, "My heart is with the people of Kenya at this trying time."
The oil tanker accident occurred in Molo, a rural area of Kenya about 150 miles west of Nairobi. Witnesses say that hundreds of people were caught in the blaze that broke out after the crowd rushed to the overturned truck, many scrambling to scoop up free oil as others watched the scene.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials say it was likely due to a cigarette in the crowd.
According to The Associated Press, area hospitals were so overwhelmed that the government sent extra body bags and medical supplies in by helicopter. Many of the injured were women and children and the death toll is expected to rise.
"Several bodies were charred beyond recognition," Titus Mung'ou, spokesman for the Kenya Red Cross, told ABC News. "There have been 98 cases of missing persons registered with the Red Cross in Molo."
The Molo blaze is one of the worst fire accidents in Kenya's history.
Wednesday's supermarket fire in Nairobi killed nearly 30. Rescue workers were still recovering bodies Monday and the Red Cross plans to begin DNA testing this week, hoping to match unrecognizable victims with people who have been reported missing.
