No fewer than 50 persons were reportedly burnt to death when a petrol tanker exploded in the Ologbo axis of Edo State The tragic incident, it was learned, happened yesterday when people were scrambling to scoop fuel from a tanker that had overturned and spilled its content on the road. A spark reportedly resulted in the explosion of the tanker.
A viral video sighted by ThisNigeria showed bodies of burnt victims littering the scene of the explosion.
An eyewitness said despite warnings from drivers and security personnel, who had arrived at the scene, the victims hastily rushed to collect fuel from the overturned tanker, adding that some of the victims also ran into the forest.
Some of the bodies were burned beyond recognition just as the explosion burnt of several vehicles.
“We tried to prevent them, but the youths threatened to beat us up, telling us it’s their community. They came in their numbers carrying all sorts of containers, and when the explosion happened around 12:15 a.m. this morning, we all fled.
“You can see dead bodies on the ground, some of them ran into the forest as I speak, some dead bodies have been removed, I have counted over 20 bodies.”
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However, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) spokesman, Bisi Kazeem, while confirming the incident, said, no fewer than eight persons were burnt beyond recognition on the Ologbo Bridge, Benin/Sapele expressway in Delta and seven others injured.
According to him, the multiple crash involving 15 different categories of vehicles such as as a Toyota Hiace Bus, two Ford Buses, one Volkswagen Passat, two J5 Peugeot buses, one Daylong motorcycle and eight Tankers, happened at about 1pm yesterday.
“From the report gotten from the FRSC rescue team, a total of 15 people, all male adults, were involved. Out of this number, seven people got injured, while eight victims were burnt beyond recognition.
“The truck ladened with Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), coming from Warri, Delta State fell on the highway and spilled the PMS product on the road.
“This, hereby led to an explosion that gutted the aforementioned number of vehicles and the 15 male victims, “he said.
Kazeem quoted the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu as calling on fleet operators, especially owners of tankers conveying inflammable products, to ensure compliance with minimum safety standards by installing safety valves (Anti spill) in their vehicles.
This, he said, will eradicate all incidences of mishap resulting from lack of safety valves in tankers.
Biu also called on owners and operators of tankers to comply with all safety standards set by the government on operation of that category of vehicle on Nigerian roads.
He directed Commanding Officers to ensure that tankers that do not meet safety standards were not allowed to ply the highways.
