Many people were feared dead yesterday, while 10 others sustained varying degrees of injury when a fallen fuel tanker exploded at Oluku on the Benin-Lagos Road in Edo State.
Our reporter could not independently confirm the number of fatalities. However, some security officials, who declined to speak officially, said five people were reportedly killed in the incident.
Oluku is a busy area where drivers of articulated and heavy-duty trucks often park to rest before continuing their journeys.
The incident occurred near Oluku Market, destroying several shops, houses and vehicles in the area.
The explosion occurred in the early hours of Thursday when a petrol tanker attempting to make a U-turn near the market fell and spilled its contents onto the road.
Witnesses said that shortly after the tanker fell, residents and passers-by rushed to the scene and began scooping fuel from the road and drainage channels.
One of the witnesses, who identified himself simply as John, said he had joined some people who were scooping the fuel before security operatives arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area.
He said the truck owner had brought another tanker to evacuate the remaining fuel from the fallen vehicle when it exploded, leaving several victims burnt beyond recognition and many others injured.
According to him, 10 injured victims were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for medical attention, while some corpses were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
He said, “I was also among those scooping the fuel. I escaped by the whiskers. A soldier called me and drew my attention to the fact that the weather was hot and that the way people were rushing to scoop the fuel could ignite a fire.
“As I looked back after he spoke to me, the tanker burst into flames, and people around the area 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 shops built on the drainage were also razed. We are yet to ascertain the number of people who died.”
Another witness, Juliet Philip, blamed the incident on the refusal of some residents to heed warnings against scooping fuel from the fallen tanker.
She said the perpetrators ignored some people, who attempted to stop them from the act, as they reportedly argued that petrol was selling for N1,500 per litre and they intended to sell what they collected.
Philip explained that many people were trapped when the tanker exploded, adding that several shops at Oluku Market and vehicles parked in the area were destroyed by the inferno.
“The market was seriously affected because the fuel spilled into the drainage channels within the market. Some people also scooped fuel and stored it in their shops,” she said.
The witness explained that some residents refused to leave the scene despite efforts by security personnel to drive them away, adding that some even attacked the operatives.
“Even with the presence of soldiers and other security agents, some people refused to leave. When the security personnel chased them away, some would return and attack the military and other personnel, including road safety officers,” he said.
