By Ayo Yusuf
Following the tragic death of five people in Sunday’s tank explosion on the Sapele-Benin road, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with the families of the victims.
The explosion had occurred when people near the accident site had gone to scoop fuel from the fuel-laden tanker, causing an explosion which destroyed over a dozen vehicles and burnt some victims beyond recognition.
In a statement late Sunday night, the Edo governor expressed his sadness over the unfortunate incident, noting that the loss of lives was regrettable.
He said, “We are saddened by the news of the petrol tanker explosion in Koko Junction, Delta State.
“We commiserate with the government and people of Delta State over the tragic incident. We sympathise with the families of the victims,” he said.
Governor Obaseki however urged, “Nigerians to desist from attempting to scoop petrol whenever there is an accident involving tankers. It is pertinent to consider safety first and report to appropriate authorities in such instances.”
Earlier, the Delta State Police Command confirmed that five persons died in a fuel tanker explosion that occurred on the Sapele-Benin Road on Sunday.
The police also said that eight buses, two tankers, five trailers, two cars and one motorcycle were razed in the inferno.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a press statement made available to journalists in Warri on Sunday.
Our reporter 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.
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 spilled 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.
