Kampala, (UG): At least five people lost their lives, and two others currently nursing critical wounds after a perimeter wall of Good Luck Petrol Station collapsed on rental units in Ndejje, a Kampala suburb.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Mr Luke Owoyesigyire, the incident occurred in the wee hours of Monday morning at around 3 am occurred in Kanyanya Cell, Ndejje Parish, Ndejje Division, Makindye Saabagabo Municipality.
“The territorial Police at Katwe Division and Ndejje acted swiftly in response to a distressing incident today at about 3 am, where the perimeter wall of Good Luck Petrol Station collapsed onto rental properties owned by Ms Nalumansi Proscovia. This unfortunate event occurred in Kanyanya Cell, Ndejje Parish, Ndejje Division, Makindye Sabagabo,” Mr Owoyesigyire stated in a Monday statement.
Preliminary findings suggest that the perimeter wall belonging to the petrol station weakened due to heavy rainfall, ultimately leading to its collapse onto the rental properties.
Mr Owoyesigyire says police acted swiftly upon receiving information regarding the unfortunate incident but the fire rescue team managed to rescue only two of the seven occupants of the rental units, with five people already dead upon police’s arrival.
“Upon receiving the report, our dedicated Fire Prevention and Rescue services, supported by the local community, promptly initiated rescue efforts. Regrettably, five lives were lost in the tragic event,” he said.
The victims have been identified as Phiona Nabulumba, Nabunywa Geofrey, Moja Fuuku, three-year-old Liana, and Doreen.
The two individuals, Mukisa Gladys and Sadat, who sustained severe injuries are currently receiving medical attention at different hospitals, according to Mr Owoyesigyire.
Additionally, the bodies of the deceased have been respectfully conveyed to City Mortuary Mulago for a thorough postmortem examination.
Meanwhile, Owoyesigyire says the rescue team, assisted by an excavator, is diligently working to confirm if there are additional individuals trapped under the rubble.
“While rescue operations continue, Katwe Police has launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the root cause of this unfortunate incident,” he stated, before urging the “public to cooperate with the authorities and provide any relevant information that may assist in the ongoing investigation.”
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the affected families during this challenging time,” he concluded.
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