At least three people were burnt to death on Tuesday while many others sustained injuries when a petrol tanker exploded in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
“About seven vehicles and five motorcycles were also burnt in the explosion.,” Ige Olufolarin, Director of the Ogun State Emergency Management Agency, said while confirming the incident. He said the victims were burnt “beyond recognition” following the explosion of the tanker carrying petrol.
The incident occurred near the Guaranty Trust Bank, Presidential Boulevard in Abeokuta.
“It was gathered that the tanker which was coming from Sagamu-Siun-Oke-Mosan Road climbed the overhead bridge lost control of the vehicle while descending from the bridge,” Olufolarin said.
The accident occurred after the tanker hit a motorcycle that was in motion and rammed into some commercial vehicles waiting for passengers at the end of the bridge, eyewitnesses said. They blamed the incident on brake failure.
This caused the tanker to explode immediately, with the fire spreading to other vehicles in the area.
Fatal tanker explosions are common in Nigeria, which relies on land transportation of petrol from depots to retail outlets located all over the country.
