The police say five people were killed in a petrol tanker explosion in Delta.

The spokesman of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to journalists on Sunday in Warri, saying the incident occurred on Sunday at Ugbenu in Ethiope West LGA.

He said the tanker, laden with petrol, was heading towards Benin City in the morning when the unfortunate incident happened.

“In the early hours of October 1, 2023, at about 0200hrs, the command recorded a tragic incident where a tanker, laden with petroleum product, being driven towards Benin on the Warri – Benin Road fell at Ugbenu Koko Junction.

“Its content spilled into the nearby swamp, and the spillage attracted a couple of youths who took advantage of the incident and started scooping fuel into jerry cans and other containers. While they were at it, an explosion erupted, and the fire from the explosion engulfed the whole area. The fire claimed the lives of five persons among the youths who had come to scoop fuel,” Mr Edafe said.

He said several properties were also burnt, including eight buses of different makes, two tankers, five trailers, two motorcycles, a Sienna space wagon and a C Class Mercedes Benz car.

The police spokesman said the remains of the victims had been deposited at the Oghara General Hospital’s morgue in Ethiope West. He added that police operatives attached to the Oghara division, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at Ethiope West, had mobilised to the scene to ease traffic flow.

Mr Edafe said police commissioner Wale Abass had expressed sympathy for the families that lost their loved ones in the incident.

“It is sad that we never learn from past occurrences since this is not the first time such an incident has happened. Nonetheless, I appeal that Nigerians should do away with greed and avoid scenes where there is an occurrence of oil spillages. It poses a serious threat to their lives and the lives of others,” stated Mr Edafe. 

(NAN)