Thirteen people have died after a petroleum tanker they were fetching fuel from caught fire.
Confirming the incident, Gem OCPD Moses Chacha said the incident happened at Malanga on Kisumu-Busia road on Sunday night.
Eleven other people were injured during the incident and were rushed to Yala Sub-County Hospital for treatment.
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Chacha said most of those who escaped with injuries were children.
He said the oil tanker rolled while avoiding a headon collision with an oncoming trailer.
"The trailer which was ferrying 20 tonnes of milk, veered off the road to avoid plunging into the tanker which was heading to Busia," he said.
However, the tanker hit the trailer and plunged into the roadside pouring petroleum products among them super petrol.
"The tanker hit the vehicle on the right rear side. As a result of the impact, it overturned on the extreme left side of the road," he said.
Chacha said members of the public went to the scene of the accident and started siphoning fuel.
"The fuel tanker burst into flames moments later," he said.
He cautioned members of the public to avoid rushing to the scenes when such accidents happen.
