[PHOTOS] Tanker explosion in Rivers claims five lives, destroys 70 vehicles
Five people were confirmed dead and more than 70 vehicles were destroyed in a tanker explosion on the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State on Friday night.
Report state that at least four people were believed to have died following a series of explosions at the same location on Friday night.
An eyewitness, who identified himself as Baridi, told our correspondent that the incident occurred when a petrol-laden tanker collided with a heavy-duty truck, causing it to spill its contents and ignite.
He explained that the fire spread to a long line of vehicles on the Akpajo-Onne Road, which were stuck in a traffic jam that is a common occurrence on this road currently under construction.
Baridi said, “You know that because of the bad road, there is no alternative route so many vehicles were caught in the fire.
“Some people inside their vehicles who tried to escape the fire were trapped in the fire and died.”
A motorist driving on the road at the time identified as Precious said, “I was approaching Akpajo bridge when I saw a thick hold-up. While I and other drivers tried to move further we saw people running and shouting fire, fire.
“So it was difficult for me even to reverse my vehicle. We meandered and packed somewhere. Only for us to come back and see that more than 100 vehicles were burnt. There are people burnt in their vehicles and some people running were also caught in the inferno.”
He blamed the tragedy on the reconstruction of the road which, according to him, had worsened the gridlock.
“Yes they are working on the road which is good but they should also create access. Not the way they are doing it. First, they should be fast about it and secondly, the contractor should know that vehicles are using the road. Otherwise, this would not have happened,” he added.
Confirming the casualty figure, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, said, “For now about five persons are dead. The Commissioner of Police and his team were on the ground last night to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order.”
Meanwhile, a source from the Government House in Port Harcourt informed our correspondent that the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, plans to visit the site of the explosion on Saturday to assess the situation firsthand.
Since Friday night, the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, along with personnel from the Eleme Police Division and officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps, have been present at the scene.
