Two persons have been burnt to death in a tanker explosion along Umunya Road on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Anambra State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the tanker fell inside a gutter after its driver lost control and immediately went up in flames.
The Mack tanker, with no number plate, and a shuttle bus, also with no number plate, were involved in the crash.
According to an eyewitness, the tanker driver was at top speed when he lost control and rammed into the shuttle from behind as both vehicles exploded.
The incident, which occurred near a filling station located at the popular Odumodu Junction, Umunya, in the Oyi Local Government Area, created panic in the area.
It also caused gridlock on the busy road.
Five male adults were involved in the crash, while two male adults were killed with one person burnt beyond recognition.
Three persons were reportedly rescued unhurt.
Men of the state fire service were also at the scene and battled to quench the fire, as passersby trooped out in their numbers to assist with the rescue operation.
The state fire chief, Dr Martin Agbili, said, “We received a distress call on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, that a tanker loaded with gas had a burst tyre, which resulted in a collision with a shuttle bus that caused the fire explosion at Odumodu Umunya.
“We immediately deployed our firemen to move down to the scene to extinguish the fire.
“According to eyewitnesses and what we can confirm, two people were burnt to death.
“By the grace of God, the fire was completely extinguished and no other casualties were recorded during the firefighting.”
A rescue team of the Federal Road Safety Corps, RS5.33, Nteje Command, handed over the dead victims to the police from the Oyi division, Nteje, who were invited to help in securing the vicinity.
The rescue team was still on the ground managing traffic and ensuring that the obstruction caused by the crash was removed when our correspondent left the scene.
The Sector Commander, FRSC, Adeoye Irelewuyi, commiserated with the families of the dead victims.
Irelewuyi advised motorists to keep to the recommended speed limit.
“Speed thrills, but kills, check your speed and not your watch. Let us keep our road safe from crashes,” he added.
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