Tragedy struck in Akure the Ondo state Capital as no fewer than five people were reported killed as a tanker lost control and exploded at a busy junction.
The tanker carrying 33,000 litres of petrol lost control and fell at the popular Shagari Village Junction on the Akure-Owo Expressway, Akure, the Ondo State capital, killing five people, including a toddler in the process.
As the tanker fell, its contents were spilled on to the road and went ablaze burning no fewer than seven vehicles, including a commercial bus and six private cars and as well as an unknown number of motorcycles.\
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The resulting inferno also consumed shops, goods, and two houses in the area as eye witness accounts confirmed that all who died in the inferno were trapped in their vehicles.
The identities of the victims could not be ascertained as they were burnt beyond recognition by the inferno which raged for hours.
According to an eyewitness;
“The tanker was on top speed when a Toyota Corolla suddenly crossed the road. As the tanker driver was trying to avoid hitting the car, he swerved off his lane and the vehicle fell on the car and caught fire immediately.”
Several other eyewitnesses stated that it took many hours after the inferno had started before men of the Ondo State Fire Service arrived at the scene to put battle the flames.
Some men of the state police command and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were said to have also responded to the emergency as the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident and stated that the cause of the unfortunate incident was still being investigated.
Recall that a similar accident happened in Lagos recently on Otedola Bridge that consumed 40 vehicles and 9 people who were trapped in their vehicles.