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Transformer blast injurers revelers...
2007-12-27 09:56:39
By PST Correspondent, Morogoro
Seven revelers were admitted to Morogoro Region Hospital yesterday, one in critical condition, after they sustained injuries during a drinking joint stampede, at the sound of a blast that occurred at the nearby Msamvu main power station.
Destruction of the Msamvu 33Kv power transformer has left the three districts of Morogoro, Kilosa and Mvomero in a total blackout.
Morogoro Regional Police Commander Thobias Andengenye told The Guardian in a telephone interview yesterday that the seven people were injured at Mambo Club.
“The transformer exploded, causing panic to people who were drinking just opposite the road,” said RPC Andengenye.
The resulting power failure has led to water shortage in the three districts at a time when the main generator at Morogoro Regional Hospital is damaged, casting a dark shadow on the hospital’s operations.
Tanesco assistant branch manager Engineer Theodory Bayona told the Guardian yesterday that the blast was caused by heavy thunder which occurred at night.
“We are not sure as to when the situation will resume to normal, because restoring the service is quite a task. We are working around the clock to solve the problem,” said Bayona.
“We have ordered some spare parts from the Tanesco head office in Dar es Salaam and also from Dodoma. We have also requested them to dispatch some technicians,” said Bayona.
It is estimated that at least 70 percent of residents of the municipality, who rely on the Mindu Water Dam for water supply, will have to do with dry taps until power is restored.
An official of the municipal water authority, who toured the dam, said the water pumps could not operate without electricity.
The Morogoro Regional Medical Officer, Dr Meshack Massi, told The Guardian that seven people were admitted to the hospital in relation to the blast, one in critical condition.
“The six were treated and discharged while the other one remains in critical condition. He has been transferred to Dar es Salaam by relatives for further treatment, “said Dr. Massi.
Dr Massi was concerned by the power failure, saying it would affect patients, especially those at the intensive care unit and operation theaters.
“We now depend upon two small generators which cannot run for more than three hours,” he said.
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