Seven Feared Dead As Tanker Explodes in Anambra

At least seven persons have been confirmed dead, while several others have been left with various degrees of injuries after a thanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit exploded at Amawbia near Awka, the capital city of Anambra State.

Naija News reports that the tragedic incident occurred around 10 pm, Saturday night.

The disaster started when the petrol tanker attempted to negotiate the Amawbia junction before it fell and lost it products which led to the explosion.

Naija News learnt that aside from the death of seven persons and injuries of several who sustained burns, the explosion also claimed properties worth millions of naira.

Confirming the incident, the Anambra state Police Command in Anambra said that the inferno covered a large portion of the area as the tanker emptied it products on the roads and drainage systems in the area. The Police revealed that the inferno followed the traces of fuel splashed on the streets.

According to the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Haruna Mohammed, the Police said that the only surviving victim had since been referred to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching hospital Nnewi and is admitted at the intensive care unit of the hospital.

In his words, Haruna said; “Out of the seven Corpses confirmed dead, three are

deposited at Amaku General Hospital Morgue, two at Regina Caeli Hospital and another two at Piston Hospital Morgue for postmortem examination.”

Meanwhile, sympathisers and the family members of the victims had during the early hours of Sunday, arrived the scene of the incident to identify their loved ones and their burnt vehicles.

In a similar vein, shop owners whose shops were razed as a result of the inferno wept profusely as they recount the losses that the inferno has caused them and their families.

“I was just driving through this road when the fire started yesterday night, so when I found out I could not escape with my keke, I parked it and ran away,” a tricycle rider shared his experience about the disaster