Over 15 persons were burnt to death yesterday as a petroleum tanker loaded with 33,000 litres of petrol exploded at the Koko junction axis of the Benin/Salele Expressway in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.
the tanker burst into flames after it fell into a ditch around Koko and Ologbo axis of the Benin/Sapele expressway in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the State.
A passenger who nearly escaped from the fire incident claimed that several vehicles on the road were trapped and burnt.
It was gathered that the victims were burnt beyond recognition while no fewer than 10 vehicles were gutted by fire.
An eyewitness said she was headed to Sapele from Benin when the Nissan Quest car she drove with other passengers was locked down in the heavy gridlock the incident precipitated on the road.
The tanker carrying petroleum product was trying to escape a bad spot when it fell and suddenly exploded between Koko Junction and Ologbo section of the Benin/Warri in Delta State.
“The explosion was very devastating, many people were trapped in several vehicles in the inferno.
