Fuel Scooping Turns Deadly As Tanker Explosion Burns 10 In Edo

Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting

Ten persons who sustained severe burns following a fuel tanker explosion in Oluku, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, have been rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for medical treatment.

The tanker reportedly fell in the morning, prompting residents to scoop fuel from it. The incident later resulted in an explosion at about 1 p.m.

According to an eyewitness, fuel that leaked from the tanker flowed into nearby drainages around the Oluku market, where stores had been erected, before the explosion occurred.

The source said as soon as the fire began due to scooping of the fuel, stores within the market were also affected as well as vehicles that drove against traffic.

“I was also among those who were scooping the fuel. I escaped by a whisker. It was a soldier who called me and drew my attention to the fact that it was sunny and the way the people rushed to scoop the fuel might ignite fire.

“As I looked back after he spoke to me, the tanker burst into flames as people around the area ran for dear life. I thank the soldier, if not I would have been burnt by now.

“Two men from the northern part of the country who were directly under the tanker were burnt while stores that were built on the drainage were burnt.

“Stores were also burnt down as we are yet to know the number of people that died. However, 10 people were rushed to the emergency unit of the UBTH,” the source said.

At the UBTH, the management swiftly mobilised emergency services to attend to victims who were brought to the hospital.

Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof Idia Ize-Iyamu, took charge of the emergency effort, leading the response team across the accident, emergency and burns units to stabilise severe casualties and minimise fatalities.

The men of the Edo State Fire Service were at Oluku, making efforts to extinguish the fire.