At least twenty people are confirmed dead, while the Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere International Airport remains closed and about 4,000 displaced people are camping at the Uhuru Stadium following a massive bomb explosion at the Gongo la Mboto Military Camp in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.
Reading a statement on the explosion which rocked the biggest city in the country, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, told the National Assembly here on Thursday morning that the explosions begun at the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) camp storage warehouse number five on Wednesday evening.
“At 8:20pm the first explosion was heard from storage warehouse number five which stores bullets and other heavy ammunition. It didn’t take long before the explosion spread to 22 other warehouses at the camp,” said the PM.
The Prime Minister told the National Assembly that the explosions, which led to total destruction of 22 warehouses and partial destruction of one, continued to the early hours of Thursday morning.
“Early reports show that up to this morning (Thursday) at 5am several people were confirmed dead; 13 bodies were brought at the Amana Hospital, two at Temeke Hospital and other two at Muhimbili National Hospital.
“Unconfirmed reports also show that there are three deaths in Kitunda area. But we expect numbers to rise,” said the Prime Minister, adding that the hospitals received about 145 injured, who are also expected to increase.
Moreover, the National Assembly was told that the Mwalimu JK Nyerere airport is temporary closed due to unconfirmed reports that some bombs landed at the airport which is situated close to the camp.
“Due to that airplanes were not allowed to land since last night, and the airport is temporary closed until field engineers scan the area to make sure it is safe,” he said.
Moreover, Mr Pinda said that two soldiers' hostels were destroyed in the camp, but the soldiers staying inside managed to escape unharmed.
“Outside the camp, early assessment show that two nearby houses were completely destroyed, while one bomb landed in a classroom at a nearby secondary school, but nobody was harmed. Today we will continue to assess the damage," said Mr Pinda.
The Prime Minister further said that the army has advised people living near the camp to stay away from the area for their safety, meanwhile some 4,000 people are camping at the Uhuru Stadium. Moreover, people are also advised not to pick any unidentified metal, as it may be a bomb waiting to explode.
The government has given condolences to all people affected, promising that the army will investigate the issue.
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