At least five people were injured in an explosion at steel plant site belonging to SteelRwa in Munyiginya Sector, Rwamagana district, in Rwanda’s Eastern Province. According to unconfirmed reports, the incident that happened at 1am this morning is suspected to have been caused by an unexploded military grade explosive.
Three people who were severely injured are currently receiving treatment at Kanombe Military Hospital and The University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK).
Two others who sustained minor injuries were taken to the nearby, Rwamagana Provincial Hospital for treatment.
Rwanda Investigation Bureau and Rwanda Defence Forces’ engineering brigade are overseeing the investigations.
Speaking to local media, Rwamagana District Mayor, Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi, said the explosive is thought to have been a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG).
“SteelRwa operates 24 hours a day, people working on the night shift were unloading scrap metal from a truck when the incident happened. They tried to cut the explosive, which injured them, he said.
The company’s Human Resources Officer, Emmanuel Ndikubwimana investigations are still ongoing to confirm the cause of the accident.
“We source for scrap metal from over all the country and even import from neighboring countries; it may happen that an explosive can be collected in those loads,” he said.
He added: “accidents in their line of business are very common”
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