In the early hours of October 1st, a tanker transporting Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) tragically overturned at Ugbenu Koko Junction, located on the Warri – Benin Road. The incident, which occurred at 2:00am, happened as the tanker was making its journey towards Benin.
The overturned tanker spilled its contents into a nearby swamp, attracting several young individuals who attempted to collect the spilled fuel using jerry cans and other containers. Unfortunately, an explosion ensued, engulfing the entire area in flames.
A witness, Yusuf, recounted that following the tanker’s fall and the subsequent spillage of its contents, several community members emerged to collect the fuel. Despite attempts by Yusuf and others to dissuade them from this dangerous activity, they were met with threats of physical harm from the youths.
The crowd, armed with a variety of containers, continued their fuel collection until an explosion occurred around 12:15 am. This prompted everyone to scatter and flee the scene.
Yusuf described a harrowing sight of lifeless bodies strewn across the ground, with some individuals having run into the forest during the chaos. He reported to that he had counted over 20 bodies, some of which had already been removed from the scene.
The fire tragically claimed the lives of the five individuals who were present at the scene. In addition to the loss of lives, several properties were destroyed in the inferno. The fallen tanker, eight buses of different makes, two additional tankers, five trailers, two motorcycles, a Siena Space bus, and a ‘C’ Class Mercedes Benz car were all consumed by the fire.