Not fewer than five persons have been confirmed dead, scores injured and over 70 vehicles burnt on tanker explosion incident that occurred last night in Rivers state.
The explosion was said to have happened at the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State on Friday night.
One of the eyewitnesses, Baridi narrating what transpired and leading to the explosion said that a petrol-laden tanker collided with a heavy-duty truck, thereby spilling its contents and bursting into flames.
He said the fire spread to a long stretch of vehicles plying the Akpajo-Onne Road following the gridlock which is prevalent on the road that is now under construction.
Baridi in his words said, “You know that because of the bad road, there is no alternative route so many vehicles were caught in the fire.
“Some people inside their vehicles who tried to escape the fire were trapped in the fire and died.”
Also, a lady identified as Precious who was driving on the road as at when the incident occurred said “I was approaching Akpajo bridge when I saw a thick hold-up. While I and other drivers tried to move further we saw people running and shouting fire, fire.
“So it was difficult for me even to reverse my vehicle. We meandered and packed somewhere. Only for us to come back and see that more than 100 vehicles were burnt. There are people burnt in their vehicles and some people running were also caught in the inferno.”
She blamed the tragedy on the reconstruction of the road which, according to her, had worsened the gridlock.
“Yes they are working on the road which is good but they should also create access. Not the way they are doing it. First, they should be fast about it and secondly, the contractor should know that vehicles are using the road. Otherwise, this would not have happened,” she added.
Confirming the casualty figure, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, on Saturday, said, “For now about five persons are dead. The Commissioner of Police and his team were on the ground last night to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order.”
Sources close to the River state government house, Port Harcourt, said that the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, would also be visiting the scene of the explosion to see things for himself on Saturday.
Already, the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, with men from the Eleme Police Division and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps had been on the ground since Friday night.
It was also gathered that a team of firemen from the Indorama Petrochemical Company assisted by firemen from other private firms combated the fire for over two hours before it was completely quenched.
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