JINJA CITY | There was stampede at Clive Road East in Jinja City when fire a commuter taxi caught fire, killing at least two passengers.
The incident happened at 4:30pm when a Mbale-bound taxi caught fire a few metres from Jinja Taxi Park.
A woman and a minor died on the spot while several other passengers sustained injuries and were taken to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital in critical condition.
Some of the occupants who escaped with minor injuries narrated that the fire started from behind but unfortunately the car-locks jammed making it hard for occupants to exit.
Erisa Mugweri, one of the survivors, said: "We boarded from Jinja Taxi Park, we were 12 including the driver and his conductor but shortly after taking off, we saw some smoke coming from the exhaust pipe which consquently burst."
He said that the lock system of taxi appeared to have jammed and it was hard for occupants to exit.
The majority of the occupants were rescued by community members who rushed to scene after the vehicle popularly known as drone went up in flames.
Police fire and rescue team rushed to scene to extinguish the fire but the extent of the damage was already huge.
Two bodies were recovered from the wreckage and conveyed to Jinja Hospital mortuary.
Residents castigated Police fire brigade for taking their time before reaching the scene despite the short distance from Jinja CPS to the accident scene.
By Press time Police had not yet issued a statement.
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