At least 20 persons including a pregnant woman and three children were on Sunday burnt to death while attempting to scoop fuel from a tanker accident scene in Ondo state.
The incident happened in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the victims were scooping fuel from a petrol tanker that fell and spilled its content along the Benin–Ore-Sagamu Expressway.
The fire was said to have been ignited by a spark from the phone held by one of the persons who were scooping fuel, according to eyewitness account.
The eyewitness also disclosed that the pregnant woman wasn’t scooping the fuel but brought the sum of N100,000 to the scene to buy fuel.
“We were inside the church when the tanker fell and spilled its contents on the road. Shortly after it fell down and spilled the fuel on the road, some persons rushed to the place to scoop fuel.”
“At that time, the rain was falling. Despite that, people still rushed there and started scooping fuel when the fire started after a spark from a phone.
“At the scene, we have counted about three children and over 15 bodies we can’t identify, and also a pregnant woman that wanted to buy the fuel also died in the incident. They were burnt beyond recognition.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident adding that described the victims as fuel scoopers.
“They were scooping fuel from a tanker when the fire started.”
She disclosed that the police have commenced an investigation into the matter.”