Tanker Explosion Leaves Four Dead, 6 Vehicles, Shops Burnt In Abeokuta
A gas tanker explosion at the bustling Ita-Oshin in Abeokuta-North Local Government Area of Ogun State has set off a huge fire, which consumed over six vehicles and also burned four persons to death, according to some witnesses.
This Newspaper learned from some witnesses that the explosion followed an accident involving the gas tanker which plowed into the road railings, leading to frictions that triggered sparks of fire and then the destructive explosion.
Operatives of the FRSC, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Fire Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) were said to be seen working to evacuate the remains of the victims, contain the inferno, clear obstruction on the road and direct traffic.
Affected vehicles, according to witnesses include cabs, buses, a private car, and a truck.
Some shops and houses around the area were also not spared by the ravaging inferno, according to sources.
However, the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), said one person, who happened to be the motor-boy attached to the truck, was the lone record of death in the explosion.
The Chief Route Commander and Education Officer of the FRSC, Florence Okpe, who confirmed the accident on behalf of the sector commander, Anthony Uga, said it occurred at about 4.16 pm.
Okpe said further that two other persons were injured in the accident involving a tanker – laden with gas.
“The number of people involved was 06 and all male adults 02 got injured and unfortunately 01peoplen died from the fire incident which is the motor boy that was trapped.
“A total of 05 vehicles were involved with registration numbers as follows:
AAN544 YC Nissan, GDB841XR(Micra),
LSD993 CY (Nissan), T23771 LA (Sino Truck), and unmarked Honda CRV.
“The suspected cause of the crash was mechanical deficiency( brake failure ) and the vehicle crashed on the road barricade then went into flames and other vehicles around / shops were burnt
“The corpse was deposited at the state general Hospital morgue Abeokuta and the injured victims were taken by the family,” she said.
