Gas cylinder explosion kills 2, injures 3 in Lira garage

What the report says

Two mechanics were killed and three other people injured after a gas cylinder exploded at a motorcycle garage in Ireda Central Park, Lira City, in northern Uganda, according to The Observer. Police said the blast happened at about 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, while the mechanics were repairing a motorcycle using the cylinder. The dead were identified as James Okabo and a second man known only as Daniel, while officers said the identities of the injured were still being confirmed.

The newspaper reported that the explosion occurred in a busy market area where members of the public were nearby, which raised concerns that the toll could have been worse. Police described the blast as severe. One of the dead was said to have suffered injuries that dismembered parts of his body, while the other died from serious head injuries.

Authorities also said debris from the cylinder damaged a stationary white trailer, including its front bumper and windscreen. A police team from Lira City East, along with criminal investigations and scene-of-crime officers, visited the site, took statements and recovered wreckage from two motorcycles for further examination. The bodies were taken to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examinations, and the injured were admitted there for treatment. Investigations were continuing to determine the exact cause of the explosion and confirm all identities. In general, gas-cylinder accidents at workshops can pose significant risks in crowded urban settings, especially where fuel or pressurized equipment is being used.