The accident occurred just a few meters from a police station in Butula, making it an even more tense situation for authorities trying to manage the crowd of locals who rushed to the scene to siphon the spilled fuel.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the fuel tanker was speeding as he approached the Kenya-Uganda border.
It is alleged that he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn on the roadside.
Within moments, a large crowd of people gathered at the scene, many of them carrying containers and jerricans to collect the leaking fuel.
The sight of the overturned tanker and the flowing fuel attracted even more people, worsening the situation.
Despite the presence of police officers from Butula, the authorities found it difficult to stop the locals from siphoning the fuel.
The officers were seen trying to manage the situation, but the crowd was determined, and the danger of the scenario was evident.
Police sources noted that they were making efforts to control the situation, but the large number of people proved challenging to handle.
This incident serves as a reminder of a similar tragedy that occurred in 2021 in Malanga, a location along the same highway, where an overturned fuel tanker exploded.
That explosion claimed the lives of 13 people. The danger of such accidents is well known, but the temptation for people to take advantage of spilled fuel often leads to dangerous situations.
The incident in Busia highlights the risks associated with fuel tanker accidents, especially in busy areas close to the border.
The authorities have urged the public to refrain from engaging in dangerous activities like siphoning fuel, as it puts lives at risk.
The police are continuing their efforts to manage the aftermath and ensure that those responsible for the accident are held accountable.
As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the impact of the incident, which disrupted the peace in the region.
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