Police Confirm Four Dead, 70 Vehicles Burned in Rivers State Fuel Tanker Explosion

A fuel tanker explosion on the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State has left four people dead and over 70 vehicles destroyed, according to a statement from the Police Command in Rivers. The tragic incident, which occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Friday, has caused significant disruption and loss of life.

The Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, explained that the explosion resulted from a collision between a heavy-duty truck and a petrol-laden tanker. The impact led to a massive fireball that quickly spread, engulfing vehicles and causing extensive damage.

Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes as the explosion erupted. Onyeka Ubani, a tricycle operator who narrowly escaped the blast, recalled hearing a deafening sound before seeing a wall of fire approaching. “We managed to escape, but unfortunately, my Keke caught fire in the process,” said Ubani, who recently acquired the vehicle. “I thank God for my life, but I am at a loss about what to do with my life now,” he added.

Another eyewitness, David Jumbo, said he was returning home from work when the incident occurred. “It happened so quickly that it could be likened to scenes from Hollywood movies,” he remarked. Jumbo also recounted the tragic fate of a pregnant woman who struggled to escape from a burning vehicle but was later found dead, trapped in the wreckage.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers visited the accident site, expressing his sadness and calling for motorists to exercise greater caution. “This incident is not a pleasant one. We recorded a huge number of vehicles destroyed and lives lost,” he said. The governor has instructed relevant agencies to assess the damage and provide support to the families of the victims.

The explosion caused extensive gridlock on the East-West Road, with traffic stretching over five kilometers. The road was under reconstruction as part of the Rivers Government’s N200 billion Ring Road project. In response to the chaos, state government trucks, along with police and Federal Road Safety Commission officials, worked to clear the burned vehicles to restore traffic flow.

While the investigation into the cause of the collision continues, the tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of road traffic and the importance of safe driving practices. Governor Fubara urged motorists to drive cautiously and adhere to traffic rules to prevent similar tragedies in the future.