Mahatshula residents have expressed shock at how a 40 000-litre petrol tanker overturned just after the railway flyover yesterday afternoon, triggering panic and a swift response from emergency services in Bulawayo.
In interviews conducted as the Bulawayo Fire Brigade and Ambulance Services led rescue operations at the scene, residents said the driver of the tanker, who is yet to be identified, had initially parked on the other side of the flyover before the accident.
One resident, Mr Hloniphani Nkomo, said the driver was warned that the area was unsafe for parking as it posed a risk of accidents.
“He then started the vehicle and was moving at a very slow speed when, out of nowhere, the truck veered off the road and overturned,” said Mr Nkomo.
Another resident, Mr George Ncube, said he first became aware of the incident after noticing a strong smell of petrol some distance away from the scene.
“I was disturbed by the smell of fuel, which could be sensed about 300 metres away. When I asked what was happening, I was told that a fuel tanker had overturned,” said Mr Ncube.
He added that when he arrived at the scene, fuel was already leaking from the tanker, raising fears of a possible explosion.
“There was fuel coming out from the tank breather, and I just prayed that there would be no explosion. Within minutes, two fire tenders, followed by an ambulance, arrived at the scene,” he said.
Emergency services moved swiftly to secure the area as authorities warned members of the public to stay away while efforts to stabilise the tanker continued.
