Explosion of oil tankers leaves two dead, 6 wounded in Anambra

Eyewitness account said the fire occurred in front of the Amawbia Fire Service and in the vicinity of the police headquarters, the Anambra Governor’s Lodge and other public buildings.

On Saturday night, at Amawbia Junction, near the Governor’s lodge in Awka, Anambra State, no less than two people were confirmed dead and six others were injured.

Immediately, the petrol tanker rose in flames.

According to eyewitnesses, at least eight vehicles and some residential buildings in the vicinity were also destroyed in the inferno.

Two dead, six injured as a tanker explodes in the Anambra Eyewitness account said the fire occurred in front of the Amawbia Fire Service and in the vicinity of the police headquarters, the Anambra Governor’s Lodge and other public buildings.

One of the victims, Mr Paul Igwemma, whose car was burned in the fire, told his experience that the tanker was negotiating a bend when it fell and then burst into flames.

Igwemma, who was full of praises to God, said he had to leave his vehicle and ran for dear life.

“I saw the vehicle trying to negotiate to this direction and all of a sudden, the tanker fell and hit the pavement of the roundabout. So, I immediately ran out of my car.

“Few seconds after, there was an explosion accompanied by fire and as you can see, my car is burnt beyond recognition, together with about ten other vehicles,” he said.

An eyewitness, Mary Anyaora, who was seen weeping on the scene, said there could still be more casualties.

Anyaora said many more people in their buildings were still trapped and could not escape the fire.

She said the fire’s effect could have been minimal if the fire service intervened immediately.

Mr Andrew Kumapayi, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission( FRSC), confirmed the incident by blaming the tanker driver for careless driving.

Kumapayi said two people died, while six others suffered injuries with eight burnt unrecognized vehicles.

“The driver did not stop when the tank fell, the incident happened in front of the Fire Service and fire fighters were still making efforts to put out the fire,” he said.

At the time of filing the report, NAN reports that the fire was still raging, while fire service men were seen fighting to put it out.