AMAWBIA ROUNDABOUT TANKER EXPLOSION CLAIMS LIVES & PROPERTY; POLICE STILL INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT

At least 10 persons are feared dead and several others injured after explosion a tanker loaded with gas exploded at Amawbia roundabout, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Also, property worth millions of naira was also destroyed by the fire, which started at about nine o’clock Saturday evening.

An eye witness, Mr. Uche Onwukwe told reporters that the driver of the tanker lost control of the vehicle after he tried to negotiate the roundabout.

He said the tanker pulled off the truck head and sparked up fire, which burnt about fifteen vehicles parked on the road, alongside shops and goods worth millions.

It also later entered into a five storey building and destroyed several office apartments as well as two other houses.

One of the victims whose office apartment was affected, Mr. Ejike Mbaonu, while recounting his loss, appealed to the Anambra State Government to consider reconstructing the roundabout as it had often led to several other accidents on the axis.

The fire incident also burnt some trucks, transformer, and structures at the Anambra State Fire Service Outpost located in front of the roundabout where the tanker fell.

Though men of the fire service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Police and other relevant agencies rushed to the scene of the incident to contain the fire, some burnt corpses were seen inside drainage and on the sides of the road.

Governor Willie Obiano while addressing the sympathizers shortly after visiting the scene of the incident, which was a stone throw from the Governor’s Lodge, said government would put all necessary measures in place to ensure that trailers and heavy duty trucks stopped using the road for safety of lives and property.

The Governor sympathized with the victims and announced that government would take care of the casualties among other assistance.

Earlier, the Sector Commander, FRSC, Mr. Andrew Kumapayi, said the injured persons had been taken to specialist hospital for prompt attention as his men helped to put off the fire.

The Police Public Relations Officer the State, Mr. Haruna Mohammed, said number of casualties was yet to be ascertained as investigation had commenced into the incident.

The raging fire was finally put off at about one o’clock this morning with combined efforts of the fire fighters and security agencies.

UCHE NDEKE