Many burnt to death in Edo tanker explosion

Eight people have tragically lost their lives after a petrol-laden tanker overturned and spilled its contents along the Ore-Benin Expressway in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The incident occurred on Sunday evening and resulted in a devastating explosion, leaving eight individuals dead.

Ezekiel Son-Allah, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ondo State, confirmed the fatalities on Monday. According to him, the white fuel tanker was not registered and lost control due to overspeeding.

Following the tanker’s mishap, residents of a nearby village rushed to the scene and began scooping fuel that had spilled from the overturned tanker. Tragically, the fuel ignited, leading to the death of eight people who were attempting to collect the spilled fuel.

The tanker driver and motor boy, however, managed to escape the scene without harm. The remains of the victims have been deposited at the morgue of the General Hospital in Ore by the FRSC rescue team.

Petrol tanker accidents are not uncommon in Nigeria and often occur due to poorly maintained roads or when individuals attempt to siphon oil or petrol from pipelines. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with such accidents and the need for improved safety measures in the transportation and handling of petroleum products.

The tragic event along the Ore-Benin Expressway adds to the series of petrol tanker explosions in the country.