41-year-old hospitalised after petrol tank explosion in Kitwe

James Banda, a 41-year-old boilermaker of Kitwe’s Garneton area, has been hospitalised with fractured hands and multiple body wounds after a petrol tank he was working on exploded.

In a statement on Sunday, Copperbelt Commanding Officer Mwala Yuyi reported that Banda had been subcontracted by Pembo Construction Company, which is working on the Rubis Filling Station project, to remove the lid of an underground tank using a grinder because the nuts had rusted.

“Banda was told to clean the petrol tank, which was contaminated with petrol and water, and while doing the exercise, some drops of fire flames from the grinder fell inside the tank, which later caused the explosion around 12 hours,” Yuyi said.

He explained that the force of the blast blew the tank lid and caused the grinder to fly out of Banda’s hands, striking the shelter of the filling station and damaging its iron sheets, as well as the concrete floor.

Police officers rushed to Kitwe Teaching Hospital, where the victim was admitted to the emergency ward and is receiving treatment.

Banda sustained fractures to both hands, severe burns on his entire body, and general body pains.

Yuyi said the victim was in an unstable condition.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.