NAIROBI – Kenya began a week of mourning yesterday after two massive fires that killed more than 140 people and brought criticism of the government’s ability to prevent and respond to disasters.
Flags will fly at half staff and official functions have been postponed.
More than 100 people were killed on Saturday after an overturned petrol tanker exploded as hundreds of people were trying to scoop up free fuel. The government said yesterday the death toll was 115, but the figure was likely to rise. Nearly 200 were hurt in the blaze in Molo, about 170 kilometres northwest of the capital, Nairobi.
A cigarette was believed to have sparked the blaze as police struggled to control the crowds of villagers.
Another fire last week, at a supermarket in downtown Nairobi, killed nearly 30 people. Witnesses said it took more than an hour for firefighters to reach the store, even though it was located in the centre of town.
– Nampa-AP
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