At least three persons died Tuesday morning in a tanker explosion in the Kuto area of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, Southwest Nigeria, the state Emergency Management Agency said.
Ige Olufolarin, the Director of Ogun State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed that three bodies had been recovered from the scene of the explosion.
HumAngle gathered that the explosion which occurred around 8:30 am also damaged seven vehicles and four motorcycles.
“We don’t want conflicting figures. Three persons are now confirmed dead. Their bodies have been evacuated,” Olufolarin said.
Our reporter who was at the scene shortly after the explosion observed that those who died were burnt beyond recognition while eyewitnesses claimed that some persons may still be trapped inside their vehicles.
The tanker was reportedly descending from the flyover bridge on the Boulevard Presidential road when it lost control and exploded after spilling its content.
“The tanker driver was screaming that his break was bad,” some of the eyewitnesses who spoke to HumAngle claimed.
However, others blamed the bad road at the tail end of the flyover for the driver’s loss of control.
The tanker reportedly rammed into some vehicles. Our reporter saw two cars trapped by the tanker.
One of the motorists who escaped being caught in the fire was seen overwhelmed by shock as he thanked God for his life.
Another driver who identified himself as Demola Opesa said his phone and some important documents were caught in the fire. He was however grateful that he escaped.
“I just thank God I was able to escape. I believe God will provide another car, but I am grateful for life,” Opesa said
Narrating how he escaped, he said “I noticed that the fuel had spilt to my car tyres. Immediately, I jumped out of my car, I saw a fire. I ran into the GT Bank”.
The accident scene is less than four kilometres from the Government House, where the governor’s office is located at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
A branch of the Guarantee Trust Bank at the place closed operation for the day as staff reportedly ran out through the emergency exit.
Officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Police are currently at the scene as of the time of filing this report.
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