Kinshasa, 3 July 2010 – Yesterday evening, at about 6 o'clock p.m., a tanker carrying fuel from Bukavu to Uvira overturned and exploded near the locality of Sangue, 33 km north Uvira while a crowd of people were attempting to scavenge the fuel. The cause of the explosion has not been established yet.

The explosion left 220 people dead, 111 injured and a dozen houses damaged.

MONUSCO deployed teams and equipments to assist the victims: 1 helicopter and ambulances to evacuate the injured to the nearest hospitals. MONUSCO is as well ready to receive for treatment the most seriously injured in its Bukavu-based Chinese hospital.

"We are in contact with Government officials and UN country team for the purposes of coordinating assistance to the victims," said Ms Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative a.i. of the UN Secretary-General for DRC, further indicating that "it is a real tragedy. We will spare no effort and do everything in our power to help DRC authorities and assist the victims. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Congolese government officials, authorities and population of South Kivu , more particularly the victims families."