Petrol-laden tanker explosion claims over seventeen lives in Ore, Ondo State

Oredola Adeola

Over seventeen people have tragically lost their lives in a devastating incident that occurred late Sunday night into the early hours of Monday morning at Show Boy area of the Benin-Ore Motorway in Ondo state, Nigeria.

The incident involved a petrol-laden tanker that fell and spilled its contents, resulting in a massive fire.

Eyewitnesses reported that the victims, who were scooping fuel from the fallen tanker, were caught in the explosion and subsequently burned.

The exact number of casualties is still unclear, but accounts from eyewitnesses suggest that over ten people were burned beyond recognition.

According to reports, the fire was ignited by a spark from a phone held by one of the individuals who were scooping fuel.

The driver of the tanker and the motor boy reportedly escaped from the scene of the incident before it was engulfed.

Ezekiel Son-Allah, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ondo State, confirmed the incident and stated that eight persons were burnt to death as a result of the explosion.

He explained that the white fuel tanker lost control due to overseeding, and after it fell, residents from a nearby village rushed to the scene to scoop.

Son-Allah confirmed that the FRSC rescue team deposited the remains of the victims at the morgue of the General Hospital in Ore