No fewer than thirteen persons on Monday narrowly escaped death following an explosion from a tanker loaded with petrol which resulted in a fire.
Africa Today News, New York reports that the explosion occurred when a Toyota Sienna and a Hilux collided near the petrol-laden tanker which reportedly broke down near the Immigration junction along Ibusa Road, Asaba, Delta State.
The tanker which broke down on Sunday and was heading towards Asaba, was under repairs without caution signs before the collision.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the collision between the Sienna and the Hilux was due to excessive speed.
‘Fire fighters from the state fire service battled tirelessly to put off the fire but somehow, the fire increased in intensity, causing a gridlock on the road,’ an eye witness said.
Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Delta State, Mr Udeme Eshiet confirmed the accident in Asaba.
Eshiet said the three vehicles were consumed in the explosion while13 persons in the vehicles were rescued without unhurt.
Udeme lamented the reckless driving of motorists.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that a few weeks ago no fewer than 17 persons have been confirmed dead following yesterday’s petrol tanker explosion along the Lagos-Ibadan highway in Ogun State.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that the accident happened around 5 am on Friday before the Isara bridge.
Africa Daily News, New York gathered that the fuel-laden tanker caught fire before it exploded.
The spokesperson of the FRSC in Ogun, Florence Okpe, submitted that 14 of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, adding that the FRSC was able to identify one man, one woman, and a girl.
The suspected causes of the fatal crash were route violation and dangerous driving, which resulted in a head-on collision and fire outbreak.