17 People Burnt To Death In Delta Tanker Explosion

Tragedy hit residents of Koko Junction along the Benin/Sapele Expressway in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, as tanker explosion burnt scores of people to death.

The horrible explosion has resulted in the death of no less than 17 persons, while some were reportedly left with severe injuries.

However, a police report revealed that three persons were confirmed to be burnt beyond recognition in the incident which has left scores of casualties.

Confirming the incident, an eyewitness noted that the tanker explosion happened at about 11.00 a.m on Wednesday after the tanker fully loaded with fuel exploded while the driver was attempting to escape a bad portion of the express road.

Naija News learnt that the whole place catches fire after the petroleum product from the tanker spilled on the road.

Eyewitnesses confirmed to newsmen that numbers of people were burnt beyond recognition while no about 10 vehicles around the vicinity gutted with fire.

“More than 20 persons were burnt beyond recognition,” said one of the sources.

“About 10 vehicles were trapped in the explosion. The victims were occupants of the burnt vehicles. Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission and security agencies later moved to the scene making frantic efforts to remove the corpses while some of those injured were rushed to the nearest hospitals.”

“Many persons were injured. It’s a terrible situation”, said another local source.

The Commissioner of Police for Delta State Command, Mr Hafiz Inuwa when reached by newsmen, confirmed that he has been briefed of the incident.

Confirming the report, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Onome Onovwakloyeya stated that “three victims were burnt beyond recognition on the spot” while some vehicles and motorcycles were also razed in the tanker explosion.”

Meanwhile, Ebonyi State Government has ordered the arrest of a site engineer after a three-story building under construction collapsed.