Five persons have been confirmed dead after a petrol tanker exploded at Koko junction, along Warri – Benin expressway on Sunday.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Delta State Police Command confirmed the incident, noting that properties including eight buses, two tankers, five trailers, two cars, and one motorcycle got burnt completely in the inferno.
The incident happened after a tanker laden with PMS – driving towards Benin along Warri-Benin Road – fell with its content spilling into the nearby swamp.
In a statement, the Command’s Spokesman Bright Edafe explained that the spillage attracted youths who started scooping the fuel into jerry cans and other containers. While they were at it, he said an explosion erupted and the fire engulfed the area.
The statement read in part, “In the early hours of today, Sunday, October 1, 2023, around 2am, the command recorded a tragic incident where a tanker laden with PMS being driven towards Benin along the Warri-Benin Road fell upon getting to Ugbenu Koko Junction. Its content spilt into the nearby swamp, and the spillage attracted a couple of youths who took advantage of the incident and started scooping the 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 youth who had come to scoop the spilt fuel, and also combusted several properties which include the following: the fallen tanker, eight buses of different makes, two tankers, five trailers, two motorcycles, one Siena Space bus and one ‘C’ Class Mercedes Benz car.”
The PPRO said the bodies of the victims were evacuated to Oghara General Hospital’s mortuary.
