At least four persons have reportedly lost their lives as a petroleum tanker exploded along the old Lagos/Asaba road in Agbor, Ika South local government area of Delta state.
The diesel tanker was trying to swerve to avoid hitting an oncoming vehicle when it caromed and exploded on Sunday.
Sources disclosed that the diesel tanker reportedly suffered a brake failure in the process, and fell at a traffic light junction and exploded into a ball of fire that burnt four persons to death.
Three other persons suffered various degrees of injury in the explosion and the resultant inferno.
It was gathered that several houses and cars including other properties were consumed by the inferno resulting from the explosion.
Among the deceased was a man and a woman, according to local sources from the area.
State Police Public Relation Officer, SP Bright Edafe who confirmed that incident on Sunday evening, said that only two persons died but a government press release stated that four died in the fire incident.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has extended his heart-felt condolences to the families of victims of Sunday’s fire incident.
In commiserating with the Ika South Local Government and people of the area on the tragedy, which resulted in the loss of lives and property, the Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, described the fire incident as horrifying and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and fortitude to those bereaved in the unfortunate incident.
Governor Oborevwori directed the State Ministry of Health, the State Emergency Management Agency and other relevant authorities to expedite action by providing the much-needed immediate support to all victims of the incident.
The Governor commended the Fire Service, the good people of Ika South Local Government and security agencies who rallied round to put out the inferno and their dedication to assisting those affected by the fire incident.
