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Suspected oil thieves die in pipeline fire
2005-11-26 09:19:17
By Guardian Reporter
A huge fire broke out on the Tazama pipeline at Pugu Kingazi-Kwembe area on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam on Thursday night, killing three vandals on the spot.
The vandals were reportedly attempting to steal crude oil destined for Zambia.
A press statement issued by the Tazama Pipeline Ltd management in Dar es Salaam yesterday said the incident took place on November 24 at around 19:00 hours.
According to the statement, fire-fighters from the Dar es Salaam Fire Brigade in collaboration with Tazama pipeline personnel put out the fire, which caused massive loss of crude oil and damaged the pipeline.
The statement said that five people, who were vandalising the pipeline died, three of them at the scene of the incident.
Another, whose name was given as Leons Rutashoborwa, was arrested but is currently undergoing treatment at the Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam for the severe burns he sustained.
’Vandals were draining out the pipeline and in the process, a fire broke out. It is believed that three of the thieves died on spot,’ the statement said in part.
The statement added that a saloon car, bearing registration number T484 ADT was abandoned at the scene.
Area leader, Ali Mshamu, told PST that the vandals were using a machine to drill a hole in the pipe when sparks exploded into a huge fire that engulfed the vandals.
The statement said the pipeline had been switched off since Thursday night to allow repairs to take place.
The repairs will be completed this morning.
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