Unity state sends condolences to Western Equatoria over Maridi incident

September 20, 2015 (JUBA) – Authorities in South Sudan’s oil producing Unity state have sent condolences to the government and family members of the victims who died in Maridi county, Western Equatoria state, where fuel tanker exploded resulting on Wednesday in the loss of more than 176 lives and wounding dozens others.

Senior government officials, including president Salva Kiir, have issued statements expressing regrets and sent condolences and announced three days of national mourning. The national government announced on Friday that the incident would be mourned across the country.

Unity state’s government, in a show of solidarity with the people and government of Western Equatoria state, issued a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Saturday extending heartfelt condolences and regrets for the loss of lives and destruction of properties resulting from the incident.

“On behalf of the Unity state government and the people of Unity state, I wish to extend condolences for those who have lost their lives and to express sympathy to their families and all those affected by the tragic accident,” the statement bearing the seal and official logo of Unity state reads in part.

Lam Tunguar, Unity state minister of youth, culture and sports told Sudan Tribune that the people and government of Unity state share the grief of the Western Equatoria state government and people during this difficult time.

“As the people of Unity state we stand with them in this hard time and this should be a time where all South Sudanese should come together to mourn this tragedy which had befallen our people in Western Equatoria state, particularly the family members of the tank explosion incident in Maridi county,” said Tunguar.

On the other hand, he added, the police should be more practical in cautioning truck and tanker drivers with dangerous liquids that they carry and state governments must also sensitize people on this of dangerous goods.

(ST)