No fewer than five deaths have been recorded in a tanker fire explosion that occurred at the Oghara section of the Warri-Benin Expressway, Ethiope West council area of Delta state on Saturday, September 30.
According to TheNation, While an uncertain number of persons sustained several degrees of injuries, over 10 vehicles, including a motorcycle, were destroyed in the raging inferno.
It was gathered that a petrol-laden tanker had fallen near the ever-busy Koko Junction, due to the terrible condition of the road, Saturday evening.
However, some persons reportedly sneaked to the scene at night to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker, resulting in the fire outbreak.
As of Sunday morning, the corpses were still lying at the scene.
The incident has worsened the dilemma faced by travelers along the Ologbo/Oghara part of the expressway, as it was learned many were trapped at either ends for over 10 hours.
A similar incident that claimed about 17 lives occurred in the area in July 2020.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, in a brief message said while five deaths have been recorded, eight buses, two tankers, five trailers, two cars and a motorcycle were completely burnt in the flames.
Editor’s Note: This photo is for illustrative purpose