Some twenty persons are feared dead after a tanker reportedly fell and exploded near Koko junction section along Benin/Sapele Expressway, Ethiope West council area of Delta state on Wednesday and burnt to death residents that rushed to scoop fuel.
According to eyewitnesses, a petrol-laden Eveco truck fell after it tried to manoeuvre a bad spot.
The tanker driver left the truck and went to report the incident to relevant authorities
Upon noticing that the driver was away, residents rushed to scoop fuel when suddenly an explosion was heard.
The victims were reportedly seen wriggling in pain as the enraging inferno roasted them alive.
The incident, according to sources, occurred around 11am when the tanker exploded.
It was gathered that the victims were burnt beyond recognition.
Meanwhile, several vehicles were also seen caught up in the flames and no fewer than 10 vehicles were gutted by fire in the fire incident.
Governmental authorities, including officials of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), police and fire agencies were also seen at the scene.
The authorities evacuated the corpses and rushed injured persons to a hospital in Oghara community
The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the incident but, however, said only three persons were burnt beyond recognition on the spot.
Spokesperson, DSP Onome Onowakpoyeya, stated:
“The driver was trying to negotiate a bad spot when the truck fell.
“Two cars were burnt together with three motorcycles
Three humans were burnt beyond recognition”.
Mobile policemen were seen trying to control the traffic as motorists struggled with the traffic congestion.
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