The Delta State Police Command has confirmed that five persons died in a fuel tanker explosion that occurred on the Sapele-Benin Road on Sunday.
The police also confirmed that eight buses, two tankers, five trailers, two cars and one motorcycle were razed.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a press statement made available to journalists in Warri on Sunday.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the explosion occurred when a fuel-laden tanker lost control and fell, spilling its content on the road, while manoeuvring the failed portions of the highway around the Oghara-Ologbo axis, thus causing fire.
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The statement read in part, “In the early hours of today, Sunday, October 1, 2023, around 2am, the command recorded a tragic incident where a tanker laden with PMS being driven towards Benin along the Warri-Benin Road fell upon getting to Ugbenu Koko Junction. Its content spilt into the nearby swamp, and the spillage attracted a couple of youths who took advantage of the incident and started scooping the fuel into jerry cans and other containers.
“While they were at it, an explosion erupted and the fire from the explosion engulfed the whole area.
“The fire claimed the lives of five persons among the youth who had come to scoop the spilt fuel, and also combusted several properties which includes the following: the fallen tanker, eight buses of different makes, two tankers, five trailers, two motorcycles, one Siena Space bus and one ‘C’ Class Mercedes Benz car.”
The PPRO said the bodies of the victims were evacuated to Oghara General Hospital’s mortuary.
