Authorities at Tanzania National Parks are still trying their best to douse the flames at Mount Kilimanjaro that set ablaze on Sunday. By Tanvi Jain
Moto umezuka Mlima Kilimanjaro leo mchana na jitihada za kuuzima bado zinaendelea. Taarifa zaidi zitafuatia. #TANAPANEWS BY @PASCALSHELUTETE pic.twitter.com/Jcfj6QlCf8
— Tanzania National Parks (@tzparks) October 11, 2020
A fire at Mount Kilimanjaro that broke out earlier on Sunday, has still not been completely extinguished. Authorities at the Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa), who broke the news on Twitter, have been on their toes since then to calm it down, but the altitude is giving them a tough time, considering the fact that it is the highest mountain peak of Africa.
“A fire broke out on Mount Kilimanjaro this afternoon and efforts to extinguish it are still ongoing. More information will follow. #TANAPANEWS BY @PASCALSHELUTETE,” Tanzania National Park tweeted.
Prayers to all those on Kilimanjaro fighting a terrible fire that’s been raging for days and struggling to control it due to the altitude. A truly beautiful place & people and a mountain that has a special place in my heart ???? #tanapanews @tzparks #Kilimanjarofire @BBCNewshour pic.twitter.com/hYqM1wibkY
— Glen (@ileostomyontour) October 12, 2020
Moreover, the dry weather and strong winds have resulted in the fire to spread at a much faster rate. The cause however is still unknown, but as per Reuters, a Tanapa official named Pascal Shelutete mentioned in a tweet that, “the blaze started at the Whona area, a rest centre for climbers.”
“The fire is still going on and firefighters from Tanapa, other government institutions and locals are continuing with the efforts to contain it,” he further told the news agency.
Reports also suggest that the fire could even be seen from Kilimanjaro’s capital Moshi as well, which is the gateway to the mountain and also a major tourist attraction of Tanzania.
Apparently, Mount Kilimanjaro is still on fire from last night. pic.twitter.com/vIRjUFV8Dn
— Benjamin Fernandes ???????? (@Benji_Fernandes) October 12, 2020
“The fire is big and they are continuing to fight it,” Alex Kisingo, deputy head at the College of African Wildlife Management located near the mountain, said on Monday, also informing, that, “The college has sent 264 staff and students to help fight the fire. They were working with local authorities to help deliver food and water to the firefighters. Winds on Sunday helped spread the fires, but since morning today the weather is calm, if the situation continues as it is, the fire will be contained today. This is war.”
At nearly 6,000 metres above the sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro proudly stands as the tallest peak of Africa and witnesses a footfall of around 50,000 climbers every year.
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