194 Confirmed Dead: Press statement on Maridi Fuel tanker explosion at Mambe town
Press statement 19th Sept. 2015–Update on Maridi Fuel Explosion Disaster
September 19, 2015 (SSB) — Today the Vice President HE James Wani Igga as well as Speaker of National Assembly, Rt Hon Manasseh Magok Rundial, paid a visit to the Juba Teaching Hospital to see the injured hospital. They were received by the Minister of Health Dr. Riek Gai as and WES Caretaker Governor Hon Major Gen Patrick Zamoi as well as the Minister of information of WES. The leaders toured to see the injured admitted to the emergency casualties units of Juba Teaching hospital and offered their sympathy and condolences to the families. Opposition leader and SPLM-DC Chairman Dr. Lam Akol also joined in the visit to offer his condolences. The vice President announced three days national mourning for the victims as aged with HE the President of the Republic, HE Gen Salva Kiir Mayaradit.
As of today it is confirmed now that at least 194 are now known to have died and more deaths may occur. Last night the total number od dead had reached 187 but seven more died in Maridi during the course of the night and in the morning. There are now about 120 patients in Maridi hospital and this after news reached the area of the devastation that many serious wounded had been evacuated to Juba for better treatment. As such some of those who were carried away for treatment at home or remained and Mambe Primary Health care unit are now rushed to Maridi Hospital swelling the number of patients remaining there to 120 again. There are currently 54 patients receiving treatment at Juba teaching hospital while two bodies are in the mortuary awaiting evacuation to home area of Maridi.
Action plan according to the Governor involves formation of committee under chairman of Maridi Community in Juba o receive support and channel aid to the victims. Also investigation committee into accident will be formed to look into clues of the accident. In the meantime more helicopter flights are sought to go and evacuate the serious wounded in Maridi to Juba. Also at the same time there is need to take a team of doctors and specialists to Maridi to assess who can be treatment on the ground in Maridi and which severe cases can still be brought to Juba. Also medical supplies which dwindled in Maridi will be restocked via that helicopter flight for better management of the wounded. There was also appeal for help to support accompanying relatives who are no means of living in Juba as Juba a Teaching Hospital do not support such.
On my own behalf as Minister of Information WES and my family we are donating a bucket of rice, a bucket of beans, 5 kilos of meat, half a beg of floor plus a gallon of oil and some onion for the feeding of the accompanying relatives for tomorrow Sunday 20th September 2015, when I visit the injured in the morning to assess their progress since today. This is a national tragedy and disaster that need each one of us to look into their hearts and help in any way possible.
My sympathy continues to pour to the people of Western Equatoria for such great loss May God Almighty give us the strength at such difficulty times!
Hon Eng. Charles Barnaba Kisanga
WES Government spokesperson and State Minister of Information and Communications WES
Yambio
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Press statement on Maridi Fuel tanker explosion at Mambe which has killed 185 so far
September 18, 2015 (SSB) — As spokesperson of WES government I wish to confirm the arrival of over 60 severely wounded patients from the Maridi incident in Juba this afternoon. The Governor, Hon Major General Patrick Raphael Zamoi was there to see for himself the scale of the disaster. Also the Governor of Central Equatoria paid a solidarity visit and the Minister of Health, Dr. Riek Gai was there to give hand and support his staff with medical services.
This is very regrettable incident and the WES Government offers heartfelt condolences to the WES people because today some whole families are wiped or so by the disaster and it is the people of WES who are now the immediate family members to the diseased.
With the last count this afternoon, the death toll had reached 185 as some( even two) passed on arrival here in Juba or on the way in the chopper. It will be sometimes before the exact death toll is announced.
AS such the Governor of Western Equatoria State, Major General Patrick Raphael Zamoi, who is currently in Juba, is calling for a press conference at the WES Coordination Office tomorrow 19th September 2015 at 10 a.m. The WES Coordination office is just at the corner of Juba University Eastern fence. During the press conference the Governor will spell out the state’s strategy of dealing with the disaster. All media houses are invited to attend.
In the meantime the WES Government thanks and appreciates the UNMISS for their prompt offer to help bring severe burned patients to Juba Teaching Hospital, the National Government led by HE Gen Salva Kiir Mayaradit for the full support and all the Humanities organizations offering assistance now. More words of appreciation will be coming from the Governor tomorrow at the press conference.
Hon Eng. Charles Barnaba Kisanga
WES Government spokesperson and State Minister of Information and Communications WES
(Juba)
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