Tanker explosion
Four feared dead in gas tanker explosion in Rivers
At least four people may have died when a truck conveying gas tipped over at the Obiri Ikwerre flyover in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and explodes into flames.
The accident, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in loud explosion, which shattered glass window and caused panic in the area.
An eyewitness said the truck fell on another vehicle with passengers. While the truck driver escaped unhurt, the occupants of the second vehicle were feared killed in the explosion.
The eyewitness added that operatives of the Federal Fire Service who arrived at the scene on time extinguished the fire and stopped it from escalating to nearby vehicles.
At around 10.am on Tuesday, security personnel and emergency responders had condoned off the area with caution tapes, diverting traffic to an alternative route.
It was also observed that operatives of the police on ground were working hard to ward off suspected scavengers who attempted to capitalise on the chaos to steal parts from the wreckage as scraps.
The Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying two persons lost their lives to the accident.
She disclosed that the Commissioner of Police and other members of the state police hierarchy were on ground to restore order, adding that an investigation had been launched to unravel the circumstances that caused the accident.
According to Iringe-Koko, “Yes I can confirm that two persons died in the tanker fire. Myself and the Commissioner of Police are on the ground as I speak to you.
“The fire has been put out but the area is still dangerous because the gas is still licking.
“So motorists are advised to take alternative routes to avoid any further casualty. The investigation is ongoing.”
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