Egypt honours driver who died after averting fuel tanker disaster
An Egyptian tanker driver who steered his burning vehicle away from a residential area has died from his injuries, prompting the government to announce financial rewards and other honours for his family.
Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly mourned the driver, Khaled Mohamed Shawky, who died on Saturday from injuries sustained during the incident in 10th of Ramadan City, north of Cairo.
Last week, Shawky was inside his fuel tanker at a petrol station when the tank exploded due to high temperatures. He immediately got into the driver's seat and drove the burning vehicle away from the station and nearby residential areas. He succeeded in preventing a wider disaster but was severely injured when the truck was engulfed in flames.
In a statement, the prime minister's office expressed its condolences to the driver's family, describing Shawky as 'a symbol of sacrifice and quick thinking in a highly dangerous situation, which prevented many casualties and destruction, and saved many lives and properties.'
Madbouly has directed the ministers of petroleum and social solidarity to arrange a 'generous reward' and an 'exceptional pension' for the driver's family. 'The government, and the Egyptian people in general, appreciate these shining examples in society and are keen to elevate their status so that they may be a role model for others,' Madbouly said.
In a separate move, Alaa Abdellah, the head of the 10th of Ramadan City Development Authority, announced that a street in the city would be named after Shawky to honour his memory.
The Minister of Social Solidarity, Maya Morsi, also announced a payment of EGP 100,000 to the family and confirmed that an exceptional pension would be provided.
News of Shawky's death brought sadness to his hometown of Bani Ubaid in the northern Daqahliya province, where residents prepared for his funeral. Shawky was a father of three, and his family had been planning his son's wedding for the 19th of next month.
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