Firefighters try to contain fire on Mount Kilimanjaro

By Frank utonga

Tanzanian firefighters were battling on Monday to contain a fire that broke out on Sunday on Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, the National Parks service (TANAPA) said.

“The fire is still going on and firefighters from TANAPA, other government institutions and locals are continuing with the efforts to contain it,” said Pascal Shelutete, a TANAPA official.

Kilimanjaro rises to nearly 6 000 metres (20 000 feet) above sea level. Around 50 000 tourists climb it every year.