Five Confirmed Dead, 70 Cars Burnt In Rivers Tanker Explosion

Five people have been confirmed dead and over 70 cars burnt in the tanker explosion at the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State on Friday night.

It was earlier reported that not lesser than four persons were feared killed after a multiple explosion at the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State on Friday night.

According to an eyewitness, the incident followed a petrol-laden tanker which collided with a heavy-duty truck, spilling its contents and bursting into flames.

He said the fire spread to a long stretch of vehicles plying the Akpajo-Onne Road following the gridlock which is a usual occurrence on the road now under construction.

He said, “You know that because of the bad road, there is no alternative route so many vehicles were caught in the fire.

“Some people inside their vehicles who tried to escape the fire were trapped in the fire and died.”

Confirming the casualty figure, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in an interview on Saturday, said, “For now about five persons are dead. The Commissioner of Police and his team were on the ground last night to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order.”