Death toll in Mozambique tank explosion rises to 96

Health authorities said that death toll in the fuel tanker truck explosion in Mozambique's Central Tete province had reached 96, media reports said.

Maputo, Nov 29: Health authorities said that death toll in the fuel tanker truck explosion in Mozambique's Central Tete province had reached 96, media reports said.

"8 out of 47 patients receiving treatment at the provincial hospital are still under intensive care. All of them are children," Xinhua news agency quoted Celma Issufo, a doctor in a local hospital.

"The prognosis for most patients is good, but there are still some troubles for them to go through," said Issufo.

The inquiry commission created by the Council of Minister to investigate the causes of the explosion is in the scene, left with only a week to release its report.

The Council of Minister said accountability will be charged in case it is found that there are criminal faults in the explosion.

On October 18, a tanker truck was en route transporting petrol to Malawi from Mozambican port city of Beira. It blew up when local residents were gathering around the vehicle to buy fuel.

IANS