26 Oct Fire on Mount Kilimanjaro reignites

A wildfire on Mount Kilimanjaro has reignited, despite fire officials thinking it was under control.

The blaze began on Friday evening near the Karanga site used by climbers ascending the famous peak, at about 4,000 metres (13,000 feet) altitude on its south side.

Hard winds helped fan the fire but a team of some 400 people, including students and volunteers, battled to contain it on Sunday before it lit up in other pockets.

Eliamani Sedoyeka, permanent secretary at the natural resources and tourism ministry, told reporters: “Fires erupted again last night in three places that were previously under control. By this afternoon, one area was controlled and efforts are ongoing to contain others.”

So far, no injuries or deaths have been reported.