Fuel Tanker Fire Takes Four Lives In Onitsha Anambra State

A gasoline-laden tanker flipped over and exploded on the New Auto Spare Parts Market Flyover, Nkpor, near Onitsha, one of the largest business cities in Anambra State.

The explosion killed four persons, including a pregnant woman and three others, whereas more than 20 other people received different degrees of injuries.

People watch as a smoke rises from the fuel tanker fire near Onitsha Anambra State. Photo: http://naijagists.com/

The accident also destroyed thousands of livestock, tubers of yam, second hand clothing, sweet potatoes and other items for millions of naira as some amounts of fuel moved to the livestock and yam section of the nearby Nkpor Main Market. But the fire fighters prevented the fire for causing much damage.
The 40-foot petrol tanker caught fire when it was trying to climb the bridge, adding that the break system of the vehicle failed to work, authorities report.
The driver of the burning truck could not be located among the crowd who observed the scene and helped to put out the fire. The witnesses also helped to rush the injured victims to a nearby hospital for medical care.

People watch as a smoke rises from the fuel tanker fire near Onitsha Anambra State. Photo: http://naijagists.com/

The incident resulted in a heavy traffic gridlock while members of the Federal Road Safety Commission and members of the Anambra State Fire Service were together battling to control the fire. All the vehicles were diverted to other roads.

Deadly fuel tanker explosion hits Nigeria not for the first time.
In one of the deadliest incidents of recent times, a tank truck in Okobie, Nigeria, fell into a ditch and subsequently exploded on 12 July 2012. The accident takes 95 lives, at least 75 persons were injured.
Three persons were killed following an explosion that occurred after a tanker fully loaded with petrol exploded close to Eburutu Barracks axis of the Murtala Muhammed Highway in Calabar. The tragic incident occurred on September, 2, 2014, Wednesday.