No fewer than three persons were burnt to death while two others were rescued with burns on Monday evening when a diesel tanker exploded in Kogi.

FRSC’s commander Stephen Dawulung in Kogi, who confirmed the incident, said it occurred at Felele quarters on the Lokoja-Kabba road around 8:17 p.m. on Monday.

Mr Dawulung explained that the tanker burst into flames after a crash, killing three persons.

“The fire of the crashed tanker resulted in the burning of two other trailers (articulated vehicles) and a Dyna pick-up van on the road. Three persons were burnt to death while two other victims were rescued with burns and rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja for medical attention and the corpse deposited at the mortuary,” the sector commander said.

The FRSC officer blamed the tanker driver for “dangerous driving.”

“Unfortunately, the Dyna pick-up van that was parked by the road side and the two other vehicles were affected by the fire,” added Mr Dawulung. “At that point, traffic became standstill due to the magnitude of the fire until it subsided, making operatives of FRSC to conduct traffic control and clear the hold-up.”

Mr Dawulung advised drivers of articulated vehicles, especially those carrying flammable substances, to be cautious and drive within the regulated speed limit.

“They (drivers) must also maintain all vehicle safety protocols like the use of safety valves to prevent spillage of content in the event of a crash,” he stated.

The commander, however, directed full investigation on the crash as he sympathised with the bereaved and families of the injured.

(NAN)