UAE fuel tank explosion kills two, injures three
06 June 2023
A diesel fuel tank explosion killed two people and injured three others in the city of Ajman, United Arab Emirates on 4 June. The incident happened at a factory operated by a fuel trading company. Initial reports suggest welding work was being conducted nearby at the time of the blast.
Image: Ajman Police
Ajman Police said in a statement that the explosion occurred at around 11:00 local time when welding sparks are believed to have ignited a fuel tank. Emergency services, including police and firefighters, rushed to the scene in the Al Jurf Industrial Zone.
Two workers were confirmed to have died at the scene. Police said they had been using welding equipment while on top of the fuel tank. It is believed that the welding sparks ignited the fuel within the storage tanks, causing an explosion.
Debris and flying fragments from the explosion are reported to have been blown towards an adjacent factory, injuring another three workers. The workers were transported to hospital where they are expected to make a full recovery.
The police blamed the incident on non-compliance with security and safety requirements. They added that the site where the incident happened did no have the necessary permits required to carry out such work while fuel was on the premises. An investigation has been opened.
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