Many feared dead, 10 injured as petrol tanker explodes in Benin

By Jethro Ibileke

Scores of persons were feared dead and 10 others injured after a petrol tanker fell and exploded at Oluku, along the Benin-Lagos Road in Edo State.

The tanker, which was attempting to make a U-turn near Oluku Market, fell at about 4 am on Thursday, spilling its content on the road.

Witnesses said residents and passers-by trooped to the scene moments after the fall to scoop fuel from the road and drainage channels.

According to witnesses, scooping had begun before security operatives arrived to cordon off the area.

The owner of the truck was said to have brought another tanker to trans-load the remaining product when the fallen tanker exploded, burning several victims beyond recognition.

Ten injured victims were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), while corpses were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

One survivor, who was among those scooping fuel, narrated how he escaped death.

“I was also among those scooping fuel. I escaped by whiskers. It was a soldier who called me and drew my attention to the fact that it was sunny and the way people rushed to scoop fuel might ignite fire.

“As I looked back after he spoke to me, the tanker burst into flames as people scampered for safety. I thank the soldier, if not I would have been burnt by now.

“Two men who were directly under the tanker were burnt, while stores built on the drainage were burnt. We are yet to know the number of people that died,” he said.

At UBTH, it was observed that the management had mobilised its emergency team to attend to the victims.

The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, was seen leading teams across the Accident and Emergency and Burns Units to stabilise casualties and minimise fatalities.

The Edo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Preye Ezekiel Bedford, said officers of the FRSC, Police, Fire Service and Edo State Traffic Management Agency were on ground controlling traffic.

On the casualty figure, he said he was still at the scene and would provide an update later.