At least four people have been confirmed dead and dozens injured after a petrol tanker exploded at Oluku along the Benin-Lagos Expressway in Edo State on Thursday, with a separate gas pipeline explosion in Rivers State leaving about 20 people injured and more than 50 houses damaged or destroyed.
The Oluku tanker explosion occurred in the Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State after a petrol-laden tanker reportedly overturned and spilled fuel.
scenes from Oluku tanker explosion Screenshot
Videos and other media seen by naijadaily.news revealed gory scenes of young men running from the scene of the explosion with their bodies on fire. Another video showed the charred remains of at least a victim being transported from the scene in a wheelbarrow.
Reports that could not be independently confirmed indicated that some of the dead persons were those scooping petrol from the fallen tanker when the explosion occurred.
According to a source familiar with the incident, four people died in the ensuing fire, including a military personnel, while several others sustained serious burns.
The source said the fire spread rapidly from the tanker to nearby shops, vehicles and Oluku Market, causing extensive destruction.
10 victims rushed to UBTH
At least 10 severely burnt victims were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for emergency treatment.
The hospital activated its emergency and burns teams to stabilise the victims. UBTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, reportedly coordinated the emergency response involving the accident, emergency and burns units.
The tanker was said to have fallen earlier in the morning, after which residents reportedly gathered around the scene to scoop the spilled petrol.
An eyewitness quoted in reports said efforts by security personnel to stop residents from collecting the fuel were unsuccessful before the tanker eventually caught fire.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, Edo State Fire Service, police and other emergency responders were deployed to the scene.
Rivers gas pipeline explosion injures 20
Meanwhile, about 20 people were injured in a separate gas pipeline explosion at Aleto community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The explosion occurred at about 5pm on Thursday along Old Bori Road, after a pipeline reportedly ruptured and caught fire.
Reports said the inferno razed or damaged about 50 houses, while shops, vehicles and a mechanic workshop were also affected. Several victims were taken to hospitals for treatment.
Community sources alleged that the pipeline had been leaking for several weeks before the explosion and that concerns had previously been raised with relevant authorities.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, YEAC-Nigeria, also confirmed the incident and called for urgent intervention by the Rivers State and Federal Governments and relevant regulatory agencies.
No death has been independently confirmed in the Rivers explosion as of the latest reports.
Two explosions, one day
The two incidents have renewed concerns over the dangers associated with fuel tanker accidents, fuel scooping and pipeline safety, particularly in communities located along major petroleum transportation and oil and gas corridors.
Authorities are expected to investigate the causes of both incidents and provide further updates on the casualties, property damage and condition of the injured.
NaijaDay.News will continue to update this report as official casualty figures and further details emerge.
