15 burned to death as another fuel tanker explodes in Enugu

• The tanker reportedly fell while ascending a hilly road, spilled its content which then sparked an inferno that burned many to death.

Another Petrol-laden tanker has exploded in Enugu State killing at least fifteen residents of the South-Eastern State.

The explosion, which happened on Saturday at Ugwu Onyeama Federal Highway, also destroyed many vehicles.

The tanker reportedly fell while ascending a hilly road, spilled its content which then sparked an inferno that burned many to death.

An eyewitness, a tanker driver, disclosed that the accident claimed many lives, adding that some of the injured were taken to nearby hospitals.

“Yes, there was a big tragedy this afternoon at Ugwu Onyeama Federal Highway. A tanker carrying premium motor spirit, otherwise known as petrol, fell on the hilly road and spilled the product.

“Unfortunately, it caught fire and all the vehicles plying the road at the time caught fire and burned people beyond recognition.

“As I am speaking with you, over 10 people including children have been burnt beyond recognition. Some have just been loaded in a pick-up van to the morgue now. So many others were loaded in a vehicle and taken to a morgue earlier.

“As we speak, there’s no road through Ugwu Onyeama.

“I am trapped somewhere in Ngwo. The situation is tragic. The second lane of the road is impassable. The fire raged along the road leading to Agu-abor.”

The tragedy is the latest in the spate of fuel tanker explosion in the country. Last week, a tanker explosion in Niger State claimed the lives of over hundred people.

In October last year, nearly 200 people died after a petrol tanker exploded in Jigawa State.

The troubling surge in fuel tanker explosion has prompted prominent Nigerians and relevant stakeholders to demand for more actionable traffic measures to mitigate these tragic incidents.