About four people have been confirmed dead, while others sustained various degrees of injury at Agbor, Ika South local government area of Delta state following the bursting into flames of a tanker laden with petrol.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when the petrol tanker fell by First Bank while the driver was trying to turn on the ever-busy Old Lagos/Asaba road that runs through Agbor main town. Both the first bank and access banks were affected.
Several houses and vehicles around the scene were severely burnt. The body of a car owner who was caught up by the flames could be seen on the road.
An eye witness said the tanker carrying PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) suffered a brake failure, somersaulted at a traffic light and exploded.
Another source also disclosed that a man and woman lost their lives in the incident, adding that the tanker fell while the driver was trying to avoid hitting a vehicle.
Videos show residents and passersby being helpless to extinguish the flames as firefighters had yet to arrive.
Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has directed the State Ministry of Health, the State Emergency Management Agency, and other relevant authorities to expedite action and provide immediate support to all incident victims.
The government confirmed that four people died as a result of the incident.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of Sunday’s fire caused by a fallen diesel tanker in Agbor, Ika, and a local government area in the state.
The diesel tanker reportedly suffered a brake failure, fell at a traffic light junction and exploded into a ball of fire that burnt four persons to death.
Three other persons suffered various degrees of injury in the explosion and the resultant inferno.
In commiserating with the Ika South local government and people of the area on the tragedy, which resulted in the loss of lives and property, the Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, described the fire incident as horrifying and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and fortitude to those bereaved in the unfortunate incident.
The Governor commended the Fire Service, the good people of Ika South local government, and security agencies for rallying around to put out the inferno and their dedication to assisting those affected by the fire.
