2011 Dar es Salaam explosions

The 2011 Dar es Salaam explosions were a series of store ammunition explosions at an ammunition depot in Gongolamboto ward of Ilala District of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, that killed 20–32 people.[1][3] According to officials at the base, the first explosion was at 8:30 pm local time.[4] Being the second explosion in two years of an ammunition depot near a populated area, several groups questioned the locations of these centers and requested they be moved. Reports indicate that 23 military structures, two homes and a school were destroyed.[5]

2011 Dar es Salaam explosions
As seen from the dorms of UDSM in Ubungo District.
2011 Dar es Salaam explosions is located in Tanzania
2011 Dar es Salaam explosions
2011 Dar es Salaam explosions (Tanzania)
Date16 February 2011
Time8:30 pm EAT (first explosion)
LocationGongolamboto, Ilala District, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Casualties
20–32 dead, 300 injured[1][2]

The first of several reported explosions was at around 10 pm local time, and eyewitnesses reported that intermittent explosions occurred during the following hour for two minutes at a time.[6] Media reports said that between 20 and 32 people were killed by the blasts[1][3] and that 300 more were injured as homes were flattened and debris fell from the sky. The deaths were either directly from the explosions or from the effects of high blood pressure.[1] Debris was reported as far as 15 km (9.3 mi) away from the base. At least 200 children were reported to be missing their parents as well; it was unknown whether their parents were missing from the explosions or were separated during the evacuation.[2]

Immediately following the incident, officials in the city ordered all residents within a 10 km (6.2 mi) radius of the military base to evacuate.[6] An estimated 4,000 residents fled their homes.[2] Residents in the city began calling for the resignation of Defence and National Service minister, Hussein Mwinyi, and the Chief of Defence Forces, General Davis Mwamunyange.[7] On February 17, an investigation was launched to find the cause of the explosions.[4]

The country's main airport, the Julius Nyerere International Airport, was also temporarily shut down.[8] A similar incident occurred in April 2009 at the Mbagala ward of the city.[9]

References
  1. Gadiosa Lamtey (February 18, 2011). "Vulnerable Dar in tears". IPP Media. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  2. Ali Sultan. "25 killed in Tanzania blasts after accidental explosion at military base in capital city". The Associated Press. 680. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
  3. Stephanie Boyd (February 17, 2011). "Arms depot explosion kills 32 in Dar es Salaam". One News Page. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  4. Edward Qorro and Mkinga Mkinga (February 17, 2011). "Ill-fated military base out of bounds: TPDF". The Citizen Reporters. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  5. "Explosion causes mayhem in Tanzania". Vatican Radio. February 17, 2011. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  6. Mwanakijiji (February 16, 2011). "Explosion in army armory in Dar-Tanzania kills many and injure many more". CNN. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  7. Lucas Liganga (February 17, 2011). "Fury over bomb blasts". The Citizen Chief Reporter. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  8. "Tanzania blasts: At least 20 dead in Dar es Salaam". BBC News. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  9. "Deadly blasts rock Tanzanian city". BBC News. 29 April 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2014.

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